Isolated showers, thunderstorms pass through metro Phoenix

Isolated showers and thunderstorms were expected to occur intermittently throughout the Valley until 9 or 10 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

While showers were also forecast for Tuesday, the weather service said rain would likely be contained to "higher terrain east of Phoenix metro."

The National Weather Service issued a dust advisory Monday evening for areas including Maricopa and Pinal counties. A wall of dust was along a line extending from Waddell to Camelback Ranch to near Tolleson to near Laveen, moving west at 30 mph. The advisory was set to expire at 7:45 p.m.

By 7:30 p.m., departures from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were delayed by an average of 15 minutes and increasing, according to the FAA .

As of 8:30 p.m., about 1,500 SRP customers were without power near the border of Mesa and Apache Junction, and about 1,100 APS customers were without power in Tempe.

A flash flood warning was in effect for Maricopa County until 9:15 p.m.

For the latest watches and warnings, see our weather alert page .

Tips for driving in the rain

The Arizona Department of Transportation provided the following safety tips for driving in the rain :

• Inspect windshield wipers and replace them if necessary prior to expected rainfall.
• Turn on the headlights.
• Reduce speeds.
• Avoid sudden breaking on wet pavement.
• Create a “space cushion” between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
• Avoid areas where water has pooled in travel lanes.

How to protect yourself from lightning strikes

Here are lightning safety tips from the National Weather Service:

• Pay attention to the weather. If you see big blue clouds, otherwise known as thunderheads, go inside. These types of clouds could mean a thunderstorm is coming.
• Get in a building with plumbing and wiring. If lightning strikes the building, the lightning will be conducted around and into the ground.
• Stay in your car. A vehicle will give you protection as electricity from lightning will pass through the vehicle's structure instead of hitting you.
• Get off open water. A boat out on the water is likely to be the most prominent object and you could be struck.
• Do not shower or bathe. If lightning hits your pipes, it could be conducted into the water in your bath or shower.

• Do not use electric appliances with plugs or cords. Wireless cellphones are OK, as are laptops that are connected to Wi-Fi but not plugged in.
• Follow the 30-30 rule. If you hear thunder within 30 seconds of a lightning bolt, that means the thunderstorm's distance is threatening. Wait at least 30 minutes after you hear the last thunder to go out. That gives the storm enough time to move away or dissipate.
• You don’t have to be near a storm to get struck. Lightning strikes can easily travel 10 miles or more. A record lightning flash in Oklahoma in 2007 traveled nearly 200 miles. Seek shelter if you hear thunder.
• Do not shelter under a tree. If lightning strikes the tree, the ground charge from the strike could travel into you.
• Don't huddle in a group. If you are outdoors with friends or family during a thunderstorm, don't all clump together. Keeping separation could reduce the number of people injured if lightning strikes.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Isolated showers, thunderstorms pass through metro Phoenix