PHOENIX — Arizona has been significantly affected by heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and flooding as a storm system moves through the region. Wednesday has been designated as an ABC15 Weather Action Day, urging residents to take precautions to ensure their safety amidst the extreme weather conditions.
As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sky Harbor Airport reported around a quarter inch of rain, while several areas throughout the Valley have received between a half inch to an inch and a half over the past few days. Forecast models indicate that additional rainfall of a quarter to half an inch may still occur in many neighborhoods before the storm clears out on Thursday.
A Flood Watch is currently in effect for large portions of Yavapai and northwestern Maricopa counties through Wednesday evening, extending into Thursday morning for northeastern Maricopa County. Furthermore, the storm is expected to bring the first snowfall of the season to parts of Arizona’s high country, with snow levels predicted to drop to around 6,500 to 7,000 feet by Wednesday evening. Flagstaff, in particular, is expected to see one to two inches of snow.
Looking ahead, another storm system is anticipated to arrive as the weekend approaches, bringing further cold air, rain, and mountain snow. Residents are encouraged to remain tuned to ABC15 and abc15.com for ongoing updates as the weather develops.
In terms of rainfall records, Sky Harbor has reported a total of 7.74 inches for the year so far, which is 1.50 inches above average. This monsoon season, Sky Harbor has recorded 2.76 inches of rain, surpassing the average by 0.33 inches. However, it’s worth noting that rainfall averages in Phoenix seem to be diminishing. The average monsoon rainfall in the city has decreased from 2.71 inches (1981-2010) to 2.43 inches (1991-2020). Similarly, the average yearly rainfall has shifted from 8.03 inches to 7.22 inches in the same timeframe.
For those wanting to contribute, ABC15 invites residents to share their weather-related photos and videos via email.
As Arizona navigates through these weather challenges, the state’s resilience and preparedness can help mitigate the impact of such storms in the future.