When will it rain in metro Phoenix? What experts say to expect after Sunday storms

Metro Phoenix residents could possibly see more rainstorms this week across the Valley, according to officials.

Arizona saw strong to severe thunderstorms throughout Sunday night, with most areas seeing winds up to 56 miles per hour. This wind also brought about dust storms throughout northwest parts of the Valley, which also reached Pima County, according to the National Weather Service in Phoenix.

"If you end up in a dust storm, we always say, 'Pull aside, stay alive'", Isaac Smith, a meteorologist at the weather service in Phoenix, said. "You don't want to be driving in low visibility and potentially end up in a crash."

Here's when experts say it will rain again in metro Phoenix.

When will it rain in Phoenix?

The National Weather Service in Phoenix forecasted a 10% chance of thunderstorms on Monday night. By Tuesday and Wednesday, chances increase to about 20-30%.

Rain was most likely on Thursday evening when chances of thunderstorms peak at 40%, the weather service said.

The start of monsoon means that thunderstorms are often unpredictable, according to Smith. He said residents should always be prepared to be caught up in rain during this season.

"People should always be aware of the forecasts and always be prepared, no matter where they're going, for monsoon season to affect them," Smith said. "Some of these might pop up unexpectedly, so you could always end up under a shower or thunderstorm."

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He recommended keeping an umbrella in your car and staying updated on the latest forecasts during monsoon. He also advised to avoid flooded roadways in the event of a flash flood.

"Just keep in mind that flash flooding is the number one thunderstorm-related killer for Arizona," Smith said. "It's not worth trying to drive through a roadway, where you don't know necessarily how deep (the water) is, and there's always a chance of getting swept away in that."

How to stay safe in a thunderstorm

The Phoenix Fire Department provided other ways to stay safe during monsoon:

• If you're out on water when a storm hits, get to land.
• Be aware of the lighting. If you hear thunder five seconds or less after you see lightning, you are in a strike zone.
• In a lightning strike zone, get at least 7 feet away from tall objects, get to the lowest point on the ground and kneel or squat to minimize your contact points with the ground.
• Slow your speed when driving in a storm. Rain can cause roads to be slippery.
• Don't cross rain-swollen washes. This could sweep your vehicle away in a flash flood.

Annie Goodykoontz is a reporter for The Arizona Republic. You can reach her at AGoodykoontz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When will it rain in metro Phoenix? What experts say to expect after Sunday storms