Arizona’s 2017 monsoon is well underway.

Here are the latest updates on storm activity and forecasts affecting the Phoenix metro area.

July 25, 4 a.m. Phoenix hits highest dew point in seven years

If you were awake and outside around 4 a.m. in Phoenix, you got a taste of what it’s like to be in Miami or Houston.

At 76 degrees, Phoenix hit its highest dew-point temperature in seven years early Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

So what does that mean?

The dew point is the temperature at which the air becomes saturated with moisture, meteorologist Jaret Rogers said. When air is saturated, it cannot hold anymore water and turns into clouds, fog or rain.

“When it feels humid out, part of the reason is the dew point temperature is high,” Rogers said. “In humid parts of the country, the dew points are really high, like in the 60s and 70s, and that’s what we’re seeing here the past couple of days, with the dew point temperature up in the 60s and lower 70s.”

The dew point in Phoenix is abnormally moist and is comparable to the dew point temperatures of Miami and Houston, where the dew points are consistently high, according to Rogers.

The average dew-point temperature in the Valley for this time of year is 50 to 60.

July 24, 5:45 p.m. Southeast Valley sees robust rainfall 

Areas of the southeast Valley were pounded with rain late Sunday and Monday morning,  as Apache Junction recorded 3.46 inches of rain and some areas of Mesa saw up to  2.36 inches, according to the Flood Control District of Maricopa County.  

By comparison, Tempe received .83 inches of rain, while central Phoenix and Glendale saw under half an inch, the district reported.

Phoenix Sky Harbor airport received nearly half an inch of rain during the period, after it saw .69 inches of rain through the previous days combined in July, according to the National Weather Service. 

July 24, 9:15 a.m.: Heavy rain, flash floods and water rescue

Washes were overflowing and roads flooding in Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert and San Tan Valley Monday morning. 

Just after 9 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Surprise, much of the southwest Valley, Maricopa and the San Tan Valley.

A driver in a white Ford sedan was trapped just after 9 a.m. in rising waters in Apache Junction near 16th Avenue and Saguaro Drive, just west of Ironwood Drive.

Fire crews safely rescued a woman and a girl who appeared to be on their way to school.

July 24, 6:30 a.m.: Scattered showers, isolated thunderstorms linger 

Monday’s commute to work and first day of school for some East Valley schools was a soggy one thanks to a storm passing through the area from California early Monday morning.

The storm brought heavy rain across much of the Valley Sunday night.

The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for parts of the far East Valley, including Apache Junction, Fountain Hills, Gilbert and Queen Creek, until 9 a.m.

According to Bianca Hernandez, Phoenix National Weather Service meteorologist, the Phoenix-metro area potentially could see heavy rains and thunderstorms.

The threat of rain was expected to diminish Monday afternoon, with “a quiet evening and rest of the week until Friday, when things should recharge and ramp back up,” Hernandez said.

Humidity should be about 40 percent for most of the day, rising sharply in the late afternoon and evening, Hernandez said. 

Areas in far northeast Mesa near Thunder Mountain received nearly 3½ inches of rain in the past 24 hours, according to the Maricopa County Flood Control District.

The heaviest rainfall fell in Valley areas outside the Loop 101. Areas within generally saw light scattered showers, with many areas of Phoenix and Glendale reporting little to no rain.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport reported just over an inch of rain. Most of the far West and East Valley saw more than an inch of rain or more. North and south portions of the Valley generally saw just under an inch of rainfall.

July 23, 9:30 p.m.: Storms could continue into Monday morning

After an evening of stormy weather, the National Weather Service is predicting a 50 percent chance of rain and a high of 96 degrees Monday in the Phoenix area, which would be the “coolest” high temperature since June 13.

Moisture from past thunderstorms will create more cloud cover and less sunshine, said James Sawtelle, a meteorologist with the weather service.

The clouds will fade and temperatures will rise to normal highs throughout the week. Starting Tuesday, the high is expected to reach 103 degrees, then 106 degrees on Wednesday and 108 degrees and sunny on Thursday.

There is a slight chance of rain in the middle of the week, he said.

Rain is expected over the weekend.

July 23, 6:15 p.m. the National Weather Service issues advisory for southwest Valley

6:14 p.m.: The National Weather Service issued a significant weather advisory with storms over the far southwest Valley with gusty winds, downpours and dust. 

5:58 p.m.: A flood advisory in effect for the area around Florence Junction in Pinal County until 9 p.m. Minor flooding of roads and washes is expected, according to the National Weather Service. 

5:35 p.m.: The National Weather Service was tracking thunderstorms over Highway 60 at Florence Junction and Queen Creek. Strong, gusty winds, lightning and patchy dust was reported. 

5:30 p.m. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office was advising residents who live along Big Bug Creek near Mayer of the potential for flooding. No evacuations are planned at this time, but the sheriff’s office says residents in low-lying areas should be ready to go, if necessary.

4:30 p.m.: A flash-flood warning was issued for Mayer in Yavapai County until 7:30 p.m., the same area where the Goodwin Fire burned in late June. Radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rains. Storms earlier this week caused residents in two mobile-home parks in Mayer to have to clean up damage. 

4:25 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning was issued east of Globe until 5 p.m. The National Weather service expects heavy rain and winds up to 60 mph.

July 23, 10:30 a.m. Flash flood warnings throughout northern Arizona

Those in the north should be aware of the potential for flash floods in Apache, Coconino, Yavapai, Navajo and Gila County, according to National Weather Service Phoenix.

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a flash flood watch for all of northern and central Arizona from noon until midnight. 

If you are in an area that is flooding or at risk of flooding, the National Weather Service said to either turn around or get to higher ground. 

July 22, 6:45 p.m. Downpours, lightning and gusty winds along I-10 

Motorists should be aware of the possibility of downpours, lighting and gusty winds up to 40 mph along the Interstate 10 corridor in the far West Valley.

Maricopa County Flood Control District rain gauges indicated little more than half an inch had fallen within an hour near Buckeye. 

Measurable rain was detected within the past 10 minutes on the I-10 between Goodyear and Wintersburg.

The National Weather Service cautioned about the possibility of water pooling on roadways.

 

July 22, 4:30 p.m. Thunderstorm activity hits north of Phoenix

Thunderstorms have moved in north of the Valley, dropping about a half inch of rain near Lake Pleasant in Peoria in the past hour and measurable rain in Carefree, Sun City West and north Scottsdale.

James Sawtelle, meteorologist with Phoenix National Weather Service, said the thunderstorms are mostly over high terrain and are capable of producing flash flooding and strong, gusty winds.

There is a 20-percent chance for rain in the evening for the Phoenix area, but he said that could increase.

“If thunder roars, get indoors,” Sawtelle said. “And if you encounter water running across roadways or underpasses, turn around, don’t drown.”

July 21, 7:30 p.m. Storms make their way to central Phoenix

Areas of central  Phoenix, including downtown,  started getting hit with rain just before 7:30 p.m.

The Arizona Department of Transportation tweeted at 7 p.m that it was raining along the State Route 51 between Northern Avenue and Shea Boulevard. 

Motorists along the Loop 101 at Thomas and McDowell were getting soaked by the storm that was in the area around 6:45 p.m., ADOT said.

July 21, 6:30 p.m. Flood advisories for north Valley, East Valley areas

The National Weather Service has issued flood advisories for a wide swath of the Phoenix metro area extending from Deer Valley in north Phoenix to Fountain Hills and areas of the far East Valley, including east Mesa.

In addition, a flash-flood warning has been issued for Apache Junction, Gold Canyon and surrounding areas in the far East Valley.

The advisories are in place until 8:15 p.m.for north Valley areas and until 9:15 p.m. for the East Valley. The flash flood warning is in effect until 9:30 p.m.

Local street flooding could occur from heavy rains moving into the areas.

July 21, 5:50 p.m. Storms moving into northeast Valley

Another round of monsoon storms were moving through the northeast Valley late Friday afternoon, bringing more rain to Cave Creek, Carefree and Fountain Hills areas.

The National Weather Service said the storms could extend into parts of east Mesa.

Isolated cells also could be seen forming in areas of the northwest Valley.

Storms also were building east of Apache Junction on Friday.

July 21, 7:30 a.m.: More showers and humidity expected

Weather conditions in the Valley are expected to be similar to Thursday, but with a decreased chance of showers and thunderstorms (10 to 15 percent), according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures could reach up to 103 degrees in the Phoenix area and drop down to around 86 degrees tonight. According to the National Weather Service, the relative humidity is expected to be around 25 to 30 percent for today.

Storm chances will probably last through Monday and possibly even through the end of next week.

July 20, 9:15 p.m.: Urban and small-stream flood advisory issued in East Valley

An urban and small-stream flood advisory has been issued in the East Valley until 9:45 p.m. by the National Weather Service. 

The advisory was issued after heavy rains moved into east Mesa, and surrounding areas Thursday.

A  significant weather advisory for heavy rains in the East Valley also was issued until 10 p.m.

July 20, 7:10 p.m.: Rain moves into Scottsdale, northern Phoenix, NW Valley

Heavy winds and rain fell in northern parts of the Phoenix metro area early Thursday evening, including areas of Glendale, north Phoenix and Scottsdale.

All northern regions of Phoenix should anticipate rain and 30 to 40 mile-per-hour winds, according to the National Weather Service.

So far, 0.47 inches of rain have fallen in Phoenix this month, the National Weather Service said.  NWS expects chances of rain to subside in the Phoenix area Friday through Sunday but increase again Monday.  

July 19, 7:15 p.m.: Mayer hit by rain, neighboring towns issued flash flood warning

Rainfall made its way to northern Arizona as it hit Mayer and neighboring towns of Spring Valley and Cordes Lake.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning 

 

July 19, 2 p.m.: Rain falls in southwest Valley 

Residents of Goodyear and other parts of the southwest Valley saw rainfall from an early-afternoon storm.

The National Weather Service reported storms and showers with heavy rain and blowing dust in the western parts of Maricopa County and in the Phoenix-metro area.

The weather service forecasts a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms this afternoon and a 30 percent chance on Wednesday night.

July 18, 4:50 p.m.: Storms now bringing rain in West and East Valley

The National Weather Service reported storm cells were developing in the West Valley, bringing rain to areas to both the north and south.

The storms developed as storms began moving into the area from the east, as light rain was falling in areas of the East Valley.

July 18, 4:30 p.m.: Flash flood warning issued east of Phoenix, storms moving into eastern areas of metro Phoenix

The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory near Roosevelt Lake and the Superstition Mountains and a flash flood warning near the towns of Tonto Basin and Roosevelt on Tuesday after heavy rains in the area — and those storms are moving into the Valley from the east.

The flood advisory goes until 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday night. NWS advises residents to immediately move to a higher ground and avoid walking or driving through flooded areas. 

The storms that poured on the Roosevelt and Superstition Mountain areas were moving into the Northeast and Southeast areas of the Valley. 

 NWS had predicted a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday night. By 4 p.m., a wall of dark clouds  was building across the eastern side of metro Phoenix and moving into the metro region. Rain also was developing in the west Valley, NWS said.

NWS has has issued a flash flood watch until 2 a.m. on Wednesday for most of Arizona, with the exception of La Paz and Yuma counties.

Read or Share this story: http://azc.cc/2uosRWf