perennial mums zone 5

Brightly colored fall chrysanthemums, or "mums," are hard to miss as summer winds down and fall approaches. They can be purchased just about any place that sells plants, from garden centers to grocery stores. It's easy to find mums in fall hues of yellow, bronze, purple or burgundy, but they also come in white, pink and red. These plants can either be planted in containers and hanging baskets or stuck into the ground to fill gaps in the garden.

Regardless of how they are used, do not expect them to survive the winter. The fall blooming mums that can be purchased late in the growing season have not been bred for cold hardiness. If they do manage to live through the winter, they seldom bloom again. It is almost always easier to treat them as annuals and add them to the compost heap after the first hard frost. Florist mums are large-flower plants with many possible bloom forms, from quilled to pompon to spider and more. Grown in greenhouses and used only as indoor plants, florist mums produce few, if any, underground stolens, which are necessary if the mum is to survive cold weather.

Florist mums planted outside are most likely being used as short-term bedding plants that will be removed when the blooms are spent. You can plant a potted florist mum you receive as agift, and it may grow for the summer, but it will not survive the winter, no matter how much protection you give it. Garden mums, on the other hand, produce underground stolens and can survive cold better.

Most garden mums are perennials in Zones 5 to 9 and much tougher than florist types. Some cultivars are less hardy than others and can be killed by an early spring frost. Mums prefer a sunny spot in the garden with well-drained soil. Avoid locations where water stands after a heavy rain. To get the best bloom on large-flowering types, pinch off all the buds in late May.

This will encourage more compact growth and additional blooms. In northern parts of their range, apply a winter mulch to protect mums from sub zero temperatures. If your mums grow too large, divide them in the early spring every two to three years.

After a few years some mums may begin to weaken or die out. Add new plants every year or two to keep the fall color show going. Deer and rabbits generally avoid dining on mums. Asters and hardy mums are the two most traditional perennials to grow for fall flower color. Hardy mums are about as easy to grow as a perennial gets. They come in great autumnal colors - yellow, bronze, red, white, orange, burgundy and pink and are usually hardy in zones 5-9.

When buying mums be sure you distinguish between hardy and florist mums. ( ") Garden mums have medium green, 3 to 5 lobed foliage. They grow in a radiating, spreading clump with daisy-like flowers that branch out from the ends of each stem. Flowers come in a wide variety of colors, with the exception of blue, and range from single petaled with a yellow center to semi-double or fully double blooms. Most of the pot bound mums sold in the fall at garden centers, greenhouses, and even grocery stores are annuals, intended solely for adding a single season of fall color.

Zone 5 when hardy, otherwise treat as an annual or short lived perennial. Planting chrysanthemum in the spring gives the perennial plant time to establish and adapt to its new garden home. You'll easily find mums in garden centers and nurseries in both fall and spring, but planning ahead is key to successful planting. Planting in the spring will also result in a bigger bloom the following season. Although some fall mums can survive winter if planted immediately, the odds are much better with spring-planted mums. Even though you'll start seeing mums in garden centers in late summer, if you plant them at that time of year or later, it's unlikely they'll survive the winter.

You'll have more success when you plant hardy mums in spring after the last frost to give roots a chance to grow enough before the colder months. Place them in well-drained soil in a sunny spot. Best grown in humusy, fertile, consistently moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates very light shade, and appreciates some afternoon protection from the hot sun in southern climates. Pinch stems back as needed from late spring to mid-summer (e.g., Memorial Day to the 4th of July) to control height and to encourage bushy vegetative growth.

For best bloom, feed plants several times during the growing season. Cut plants back to 6" after flowering and mulch (e.g., straw or evergreen boughs) for winter. Divide as needed (usually every 2-3 years) in spring or fall. In cold winter climates such as the St. Louis area, plants given winter protection will usually survive, but not always.

Winter hardiness can vary considerably from year to year and from location to location within the same hardiness zone. Perennial Hibiscus,such as ourSummerific® series, is another class that will add color to the summer and fall garden. They actually start to bloom in mid-summer, but will continue to bloom deep into fall - October up in Michigan.

The color range is pink, white, lavender and red, with some gorgeous bicolors. The plants are quite heat tolerant and prefer consistently moist soil. In general, they are hardy in zones 4-9 and are quite large feet tall and wide. However, more compact versions such as Summerific® 'Cranberry Crush,' which is 3-4 feet tall, do exist. The third key mum-wintering aid is waiting until spring to trim off the cold-killed foliage.

Research has found that the crumbling dead foliage helps insulate the crowns of the plants and increases their cold tolerance. Those amendments will aid drainage and add organic matter and nutrition to the soil. Also work a balanced, granular fertilizer into the soil at planting time.

Top the planted bed with 2 inches of mulch and then keep the soil consistently damp the first full growing season. A second winter-survivability consideration is not planting too late in the season. Because mums are one of the last perennial flowers to bloom, they're typically not bought and planted until October—often to replace frost-killed summer annuals. Other times they're not planted at all, instead being used as potted spots of color on decks, patios, porches and front steps.

Left outside in above-ground pots, those plants almost always freeze-dry over winter. Mums that are planted in spring, summer or very early fall have a better chance of surviving winter. That earlier planting gives the roots a chance to acclimate and establish, increasing the plant's winter hardiness. Roots that take hold before the ground freezes also prevent mums from "heaving" out of the ground in winter, leaving the top of the rootball exposed.

Even if you like your mums potted in fall, it's better to plant them late when the show's over than not at all. Just water them well, mulch them with about 2 inches of bark mulch or chopped leaves, and tamp them back down ASAP if you find them heaving during winter freezes and thaws. Plant mums as soon as the soil warms in the spring.

From late spring to mid-summer, pinch back the tips and flower buds on all shoots to make the plant bushier and prepare it for a dramatic fall show. For optimal blooming, the plants should be fertilized regularly throughout the growing season. After the blooms fade, cut the plants down to about 6 inches, and cover them with straw or another dry mulch to protect the roots over winter.

Established plants should be lifted and divided every two to three years. Occasionally garden mums do winterkill, especially if the soil drains poorly or if there are excessive temperature fluctuations in the winter. Since mums have shallow root systems they are very easily damaged by freezing and thawing. This type of winter damage can be prevented with mulching and proper care in the fall.

Garden mums are much more likely to survive the winter if the dead plant stems are not removed until the spring. Additionally, adding a 2-4-inch layer of mulch over the crowns of plants can help. Pine needles, shredded bark, clean straw or evergreen boughs work well, but avoid leaves as these flatten and provide very little insulation.

Remove the mulch once the ground thaws in April and cut back dead stems before new growth begins. Mums aren't exactly "pruned," but are instead pinched throughout the growing season. This helps the plant branch out, become fuller and offer more blooms.

When your plant reaches 6 inches tall in the spring, simply pinch off 1 inch of each shoot. Repeat this every 2 to 3 weeks until early summer.Deadhead spent blooms throughout the fall for an extended bloom time. Once the plant has died in the winter, resist cutting it back.

Research reveals that allowing it to die back naturally over the winter produces a stronger plant. Simply clean up the dead stems and foliage in the spring. When I first began to grow hardy mums, I was delighted to discover that this genus offers tall selections , which can be used to round out a planting and add variety.

I can think of no better one to start with than Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' (Z 4–9). Reaching a height of 3 to 4 feet, this selection has dark pink buds that form beautiful double flowers, which are pink with dark centers. The 1½-inch-wide blooms with quilled petals open quite late, usually not until the third week of October, but they last until Thanksgiving if there is no killing frost. 'Emperor of China' can appear lanky, so I recommend placing it in the middle or back of the border or pinching it in late spring. I call the potted mums that make it through the winter my "surprise" mums.

I can never decide which mum colors I like best, so I usually end up buying a rainbow of pink, lavender, red, bronze, yellow, gold and white for fall decorating. By the time I've uncovered and/or replanted several winter survivors in the spring, I don't remember what color flowers any particular plant will produce. It's a lovely surprise in the fall when each mum's tightly closed buds finally open to reveal their color.

Because these flowers have developed in my garden instead of being forced into bloom at a nursery, they seem to be extra tough. The fact that I have pinched them back until mid-summer causes the mums to open late -- not before October. Caring for fall mums is relatively easy, once you understand their basic needs. According to Better Homes & Gardens, three hours a day is minimal; six or more is better.

Mums that do not receive enough sunlight will lack fullness—imagine seeing more stems instead of leaves and flowers. Like most plants, mums do best in rich, well-drained soil. If your soil is dense, add compost and work it in at least eight inches. New plantings must never be allowed to wilt and established plants should be watered weekly. Water more often if needed but avoid soaking the plants, as this encourages disease.

Regular feeding with a water-soluble fertilizer during growing season will stimulate root growth and help the plants overwinter. Mums set out as fall annuals need not be fertilized in this manner. If you are selecting mums late in the season, for fall bedding, look for larger, full plants. That's what you'll get when you put a generous helping of chrysanthemums in your flower border or containers.

Generally sold in ready-to-bloom form, mums provide a fall finale of color to any setting. They come in a wide variety of flower colors and shapes, from small button-sized blooms to giant corsage-worthy flowers. Mum colors include white, yellow, pink, orange, red, burgundy, cream, salmon, and bi-color. There are also dwarf forms that grow just 8 to 10 inches tall and standards that can reach 3 feet in height.

Mums are very popular with bees and butterflies, too. If you want to grow a perennial chrysanthemum, purchase hardy, named varieties and plant them in the ground in full sun on well-drained soil. Container plants should be moved to a protected spot in winter. Plant mums at least 6 weeks before your first killing frost in fall.

That's usually early- to mid-September, depending on your location. Leave the foliage on the plant after frost so it can catch blowing snow for winter protection. You can also cut it back to the ground and pile bark mulch on the plant to protect the roots.

flash flood watch phoenix

Northern Arizona saw heavy thunderstorms in its central regions, followed by flash flooding that prompted road closures in Flagstaff and other areas. Radar readings estimated the Grand Canyon saw up to 5 inches of rain by late afternoon. Northern Arizona noticed heavy thunderstorms in its central areas, adopted by flash flooding that prompted street closures in Flagstaff and different areas. Radar readings estimated the Grand Canyon noticed as much as 5 inches of rain by late afternoon. The watch was additionally anticipated to affect Pinal, Gila, Graham and Greenlee counties.

Although some storms weakened as the night progressed Monday, a severe thunderstorm watch and flash flood wa remained in effect through the early morning hours Tuesday morning. Ida, after weakening into a tropical storm, made its way north and pummeled mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states, including Maryland, New Jersey and New York. New York City saw record rainfalls Wednesday night, and the flash flooding that resulted demonstrated how vulnerable infrastructure in the country's most populous city is to climate change.

The tweet included a chart showing lightning and flash flooding as major threats with dust storms, thunderstorm winds and hail as being moderate threats. The weather service said soil already saturated by previous rainfall could contribute to flash flooding, with areas near burn scars being particularly at risk. The National Weather Service issued several severe thunderstorm, dust storm and flash flood warnings overnight, some of which had expired by Saturday morning.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the Phoenix area, saying that more than 2 inches of rain fell in metro Phoenix by midmorning and additional rain was expected. The day has already made it one of the wettest Octobers Phoenix has seen, the agency said. In parts of southern Arizona, a flood warning was in effect until midafternoon. Heavy rain Monday flooded streets in the city of Yuma at the U.S.-Mexico border and caused power outages.

The weather service warns of significant potential for flooding in washes, streets, highways, underpasses and low-lying areas. There is a flash flood watch in effect for the greater Phoenix area from 11 a.m. It's unlikely that weather over the next few days will rival Friday night's monsoon activity, Smith said, though he added that any thunderstorms could potentially bring flash flooding and "marginal risk" of strong winds of 60 mph. This comes after the weather service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for more than half of the state.

A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for most of southeastern and central Arizona Monday afternoon, remaining in effect until 1 a.m. This included portions of Cochise, Graham, Santa Cruz, Pima, Pinal, Maricopa, Yavapai and Gila counties. Some 150,000 customers lost power in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and at least 24 people died in the flash flooding, trapped in their homes or cars. Parts of Central New Jersey clocked 11 inches of rain in less than 24 hours, and a tornado destroyed a neighborhood in South Jersey. Flash flooding remains a concern; the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for much of Arizona, including Maricopa County, starting Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for much of south-central area including the Phoenix area and Fountain Hills beginning Tuesday afternoon, July 13, through Wednesday morning, July 14.

A flash flood warning that covered most of southern Arizona expired Saturday morning. The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center said there was a "slight" risk for severe weather including strong winds in central and southern Arizona on Monday, particularly Monday night in metro Phoenix. Potential rain in the northern and southern parts of the state have also caused the weather service to issue flash flood warnings. Around 9 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the Phoenix metro area from 2 a.m.

The watch was also expected to impact Pinal, Gila, Graham and Greenlee counties. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio described the flooding and weather on Wednesday night as a "historic weather event". The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency in New York City for the first time. Dust storms, heavy rainfall, outflow winds and lightening are all expected to increase in the coming days.

Ultimately, wildfire scars are the most vulnerable during flash flooding. It's unlikely that climate over the subsequent few days will rival Friday night time's monsoon exercise, Smith mentioned, although he added that any thunderstorms may probably convey flash flooding and "marginal risk" of robust winds of 60 mph. Storms have introduced inches of rain and wind gusts as much as 60 mph throughout metro Phoenix up to now week. More storms are predicted each day by means of the center of this week. On Sunday, AZ Central reported that the National Weather Service in Phoenix has now extended the flash flood watch to 2 a.m. On Tuesday, a warning that applies to both central and southern Arizona.

A flash flood watch was issued for metro Phoenix and other areas to the east of Phoenix, from 2 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Phoenix tweeted Wednesday morning. Low-water crossings are particularly vulnerable to flooding, and wildfire burn scars are a particular concern as they're prone to flash flooding and debris flow, the weather service said. Most places can expect a half inch to 1 inch of rain, according to Deemer, but there is increased potential of 2 to 3 inches of rain for any area in the flash flood watch. "When you look at the significant impacts from Ida in the Northeast, the extreme rainfall and resulting flash flooding definitely stands out," Lamers continued. Along with the 3 to 6 inches of rain projected in the forecast, Stieritz identified instances of severe weather as main areas of concern associated with the midweek storm.

"A few days ago, we thought this was going to be primarily a water event, so flooding would be the greatest hazard. The wind didn't seem to be a huge concern so we thought that power outages would likely not be a huge concern. However, based on new information, and new model runs, there's a much greater chance for severe weather tonight," he said Wednesday.

A severe thunderstorm over Cave Creek on Monday afternoon prompted the weather service to issue a tornado warning for the area. PHOENIX — A powerful storm system brought flooding and power outages to parts of metro Phoenix on Monday evening, and more severe weather could be on the way this week. "Given the very saturated soils from recent heavy rain events, additional brief heavy rainfall of 1 to 2 inches may quickly lead to flooding of flood prone and other low-lying areas due to rapid runoff," the agency said in its warning. Scattered storms that began Thursday continued through Friday, with flash flooding reported and areas receiving 2.6 inches of rain.

The forecast is calling for increasing chances of rain over the next few days and along with that the higher risk of flash flooding. Officials are reminding people that recent wildfire burn areas are particularly susceptible to heavy runoff. Flash flood watches remained in effect across the broader region through all of Tuesday and overnight.

The watch means there was the possibility of flooding in drainage areas and creeks and those in at-risk areas should be on alert and paying attention to forecasts. The storm was expected to bring a period of rain and then thunderstorms to a large area across the state through Wednesday which could bring flood conditions on in a short amount of time. Powerful storms that hit the Valley on Monday night time left 1000's of residents with out energy, and others noticed a gaggle of fallen bushes or energy poles throughout town's wet and moist roads. At the peak of the storm, about 95,500 metro Phoenix residents had been left with out electrical energy. Since Tuesday morning, solely about 9,279 clients had been nonetheless with out energy throughout each APS and SRP service territories. According to APS spokesperson Yessica Del Rincon, most clients had their energy restored inside a pair of hours.The National Weather Service in Phoenix tweeted33,000 lightning flashes within the clouds had been recorded Monday night time.

AZ Family reports that a state of emergency was declared in Gila Bend after the extreme weather event, which led to 30 rescues and devastating water damage. According to the outlet, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said that a woman in her 50s was killed after being swept down the river bed, while another victim of the flash flood died when their vehicle was caught in the floodwaters. Authorities have released no further information about the victims at this time. Gila Bend was placed in a state of emergency due to flooding and recorded as much as 3.9 inches of rain, the weather service added. Weekend storms left the ground in the metro Phoenix area extremely saturated, meaning that flooding could happen quickly, even with the less than 20% chance of rain expected Sunday, the weather service said. The National Weather Service in Phoenix tweeted on Monday morning warning of "damaging winds, heavy rainfall and flash flooding, hail, and frequent lightning."

As more thunderstorms rolled through Arizona, large swathes of the state saw flash flood watches and warnings Tuesday night into Wednesday, including in Maricopa County. Storms have brought inches of rain and wind gusts up to 60 mph across metro Phoenix in the past week. In fact, Wednesday's torrential rainfall was so severe that it prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood emergency in New York City — the agency's first such warning for the city ever.

The atmospheric setup Monday was similar to two previous severe weather events over Arizona. In late September 2014, an intense line of thunderstorms moved through the Valley and central Arizona bringing high wind gusts near 70 mph that damaged some of the terminals at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Southeastern Pennsylvania is under a flash flood watch starting Wednesday afternoon and running through Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Low-water crossings are particularly vulnerable to flooding while burn scars from past wildfires are a particular concern because they're prone to flash flooding and debris flow, the weather service said. Remnants of a tropical storm drenched parts of the desert Southwest on Tuesday, trapping some drivers on swamped Phoenix streets as authorities prepared for possible flash flooding in Arizona, central Utah and elsewhere.

PHOENIX " Remnants of a tropical storm drenched parts of the desert Southwest on Tuesday, trapping some drivers on swamped Phoenix streets as authorities prepared for possible flash flooding in Arizona, central Utah and elsewhere. The stormwas shifting westward at 15 mph, in response to the climate service. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms can be expected across southwest and south central Arizona today and tonight. Some of the stronger storms will be very strong, with damaging winds over 60 mph possible.

A flood watch remains in effect in Phoenix as chances for flooding rose due to saturated ground that could be flooded by even mild showers, explained the weather service. Phoenix will see more monsoon weather in the coming week, with chances of rain and storms picking up on Monday night to 40% and peaking on Tuesday at 50%, weather service officials said. The National Weather Service in Phoenix extended the flash flood watch to 2 a.m. Radar indicated between 1 inch and 1.5 inches of rain has fallen on the affected areas with flooding to follow, the weather service said. Flooding could affect Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Cave Creek and Carefree, according to the weather service. "Active monsoon conditions will continue through early week with daily chances for showers and storms. Heavy rainfall, localized flooding, and strong gusty winds will be the primary threats," NWS said.

The governors of New York and New Jersey declared a state of emergency late on Wednesday as record-breaking rains from tropical storm Ida led to flooding and hazardous conditions on the roads, with media reporting at least nine deaths. That's the verdict of the National Weather Service, which issued a flash flood warning for Phoenix that runs from 2pm Tuesday through 11am Wednesday. The National Weather Service issued the hazardous weather outlook for Berks, Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia counties, as well as for the Lehigh Valley and western New Jersey. A line of thunderstorms is expected to move through the area in the afternoon, bringing up to 2 inches of rainfall to an area that was hit in the past week with remnants of Hurricane Ida. In northern Arizona, the weather service's Flagstaff office said showers and thunderstorms were expected to become more widespread and continue into Thursday. The heavy rain provided relief to parts of the region that have been battling drought.

However, the storms came with life-threatening flash floods and lightning in places like Scottsdale, Ariz. The map of the areas under a flash flood watch Tuesday through Wednesday morning in Arizona. Forecasters said locally heavy rainfall of up to 2 inches per hour combined with saturated ground will likely result in flash flooding in normally dry washes, small streams and poor drainage areas. The flash food watch signals a chance for heavy rain and dangerous water accumulation. Peterson's advice is to keep your ears open to the latest weather advisories. Ben Peterson with the National Weather Service in Flagstaff says the storms are packing enough punch for the Weather Service to issue a flash flood watch for the entire state.

The National Weather Service issued a flash-flood warning for the Phoenix area, saying that more than 2 inches of rain fell in metro Phoenix by midmorning and additional rain was expected. The day was the city's second wettest October day on record, the agency said. Gila Bend was positioned in a state of emergency because of flooding and recorded as a lot as 3.9 inches of rain, the climate service added. Showers, thunderstorms and winds will stay within the forecast by means of Wednesday night time for metro Phoenix earlier than a extra secure climate sample settles in Thursday. Much of south-central and southeastern Arizona was under flash flood watches Tuesday as residents in some areas cleaned up after winds downed trees and lightning struck at least two homes in metro Phoenix. Hurricane Olaf bore down on the Los Cabos resort region at the tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula Thursday as authorities closed ports, prepared temporary shelters and urged people to monitor public announcements.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the eye of Olaf was close to landfall at San Jose Del Cabo late Thursday night and hurricane conditions were spreading across the southern portion of Baja California Sur. After several days of flash flooding in parts of Arizona, more storms are dumping rain and bringing dangerous conditions to our state. Scattered showers are expected Tuesday, but once rain starts falling in earnest – after midnight Wednesday – metro Phoenix could get battered, the weather service said. The storm could potentially bring 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, with the weather service saying those in the area should expect hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs, siding and trees.

The first warning was issued after asevere thunderstorm was located near Carrizo, about 25 miles southwest of Show Low, just after 3 p.m. The stormwas moving westward at 15 mph, according to the weather service. There is a 60% chance of precipitation Tuesday into Wednesday with rainfall expected mainly between 12 and 3 a.m.

And ranging anywhere between a tenth and quarter of an inch depending on the storm, according to the Phoenix forecast for the weather service. "We anticipate showers and thunderstorms to develop some time after midnight with heavy rainfall and localized flooding likely in some areas," the tweet stated. The National Weather Service in Phoenix upgraded several watches and warnings across the Phoenix area into flash flood warnings on Wednesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service in Phoenix issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of the East Valley that could produce a tornado. Forecasters said heavy rainfall of up to 2 inches per hour combined with saturated ground will likely result in flash flooding in normally dry washes, small streams and poor drainage areas. Increasing tropical moisture will produce showers and thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall, with the threat increasing Tuesday afternoon and continuing into Wednesday, the National Weather Service said. More rain is expected to pour over the Phoenix area and beyond, and a flash flood warning is in effect on August 17, said the National Weather Service. More rain is expected to pour over the Phoenix area, and flash flood watches were issued for several parts of the state, said the National Weather Service . The first round of humidity will hit the higher elevation regions north and east of Phoenix on Monday, with a 40 to 50 percent chance of rain in Gila County, compared to a 20 percent chance in the valley, the service said.

Flash flooding usually occurs within three to six hours of heavy rain. It can lead to rapidly moving water in creeks and rivers as well as streets and underpasses. By early Saturday morning, the thunderstorms began pushing across southwest Arizona with the strongest storms moving through Yuma County, according to the weather service. A reporter for Phoenix news station KNXV-TV posted a video on social media showing a person riding a unicycle into a flooded area, prompting the weather service to reiterate that all types of vehicles should stay away.

The heavy showers caused a riverbed to overflow, spilling muddy waters into a north Phoenix intersection. Firefighters slogged through waist-deep water to get to people stuck in their cars. Crews pulled at least six people, including a child, from vehicles and carried them one at a time to a firetruck.

Due to storms in the area over the weekend, the ground of the metro Phoenix area is already saturated. The rainwater creates conditions for flash floods to come in quickly, despite the forecast of possibly mild showers, which could still pose a threat to the area. Showers and thunderstorms are likely before midnight Tuesday, with an 80 percent chance of rain in the Phoenix metro area.

Phoenix current severe weather warnings, watches and advisories as reported by the NOAA National Weather Service for the Phoenix area and overall Maricopa county, Arizona. An excessive heat warning has been issued for Sunday and Monday in Phoenix with temperatures expected to approach 110. The National Weather Service's statewide flash flood watch will be in effect from 11 a.m. The National Weather Service in Flagstaff issued severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of Gila and Navajo counties on Saturday afternoon. The weather service noted that wind gusts would pick up to 50 mph and could knock down tree branches as well as pick up and blow around unsecured objects. Monday that it was issuing a severe thunderstorm watch for more than half of the state until midnight.