Monsoon storms hit Phoenix metro overnight, more to come for Arizona on Sunday

According to the Arizona Weatherman, monsoon thunderstorm activity with rain hit the Phoenix metro area last night, as predicted in my previous forecast, but honestly, more than I thought. The model's data did not disappoint. According to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) mapping system, as of 8 am on 18 August 2024, the Phoenix metro was lit up by rain last night. It ranged from .10” to 1.69”, and much of the metro was between .20” to .82” of rain. This was a good soaking for much of the metro. Enjoy it!

CoCoRaHS rainfall map over Phoenix metro 18 Aug 2024Photo byCoCoRaHS

More monsoon thunderstorms will impact Arizona on Sunday, August 18, 2024. The upper-level high will still be located over New Mexico, providing a favorable southerly steering flow for the storms. This, combined with an increased influx of tropical moisture, will bring back the convective activity. Additionally, the instability will be moderate to higher, providing conditions for severe thunderstorms in some of these areas.

Model thunderstorm data for Sunday afternoon 18 Aug 2024Photo byPivotal Weather

The thunderstorm area coverage on Sunday will impact Northern Coconino and Northern Mohave Counties. Then, more isolated convective activity will impact Eastern Arizona over Gila, Navajo, and Apache counties. Additionally, to the south, Santa Cruz, Eastern Pima, Cochise, Graham, and Pinal counties will also develop thunderstorms going into the evening. The severe weather potential will still be there as the instability will be moderate to high, and the likelihood of strong gusty winds >60 mph, up to one inch of hail, and localized flooding is possible through the afternoon into the early evening hours. The main locations in which to have vicinity or overhead thunderstorms will be the Grand Canyon, Tucson, Benson, and Sierra Vista for the day. The San Tan Valley and Casa Grande area may experience thunderstorms during the evening hours.

Source: The Arizona Weatherman, a seasoned meteorologist with over 25 years of experience in aviation meteorology with the United States Air Force, government contracting, and private practice, provides this forecast. His experience training Special Operations Weather Technicians (SOWT) in weather techniques and his state certification as a STEM teacher further underscore his expertise. His weather predictions are trustworthy.

Stay informed and connected with the latest, accurate, and exciting contributor news articles by downloading the Newsbreak App:

https://newsbreakapp.onelink.me/2115408369?pid=mp_1653400&msource=mp_1653400