Thunderstorms in Phoenix on Thursday resulted in widespread flight delays and groundings at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) attributed these disruptions to inclement weather and low ceilings, leading to an average delay of 29 minutes for arriving flights.
In the context of aviation, “low ceilings” refers to the height of clouds above ground level, which can significantly impair visibility for pilots. This condition commonly arises due to fog or storms, creating dangerous situations as it becomes difficult to see obstacles.
The weather advisory coincided with a forecast predicting some of the most severe winter conditions for the metro Phoenix area this season. These predictions included not only thunderstorms but also the potential for hail, strong winds, and a significant drop in temperatures.
Throughout the day, scattered showers and thunderstorms developed across the Phoenix metro area, with activity expected to persist until approximately 5 p.m. MST. Residents can anticipate brief heavy downpours, lightning, small hail, and winds gusting up to 30 to 35 mph as the weather system progresses. As the storm activity starts to shift eastward, skies over the Valley are expected to clear up by Thursday evening, coinciding with the Fiesta Bowl event at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
In the wake of these thunderstorms, residents and visitors alike are advised to stay updated on weather conditions while looking forward to an evening of festivities as the storms dissipate.