News Summary
A severe monsoon thunderstorm swept through Phoenix, causing heavy rainfall, hail, and lightning, leading to significant disruptions across the metropolitan area. The National Weather Service reported over 1.11 inches of rain at the airport, with flooding affecting major highways and safety concerns for residents. Flight delays occurred at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, while events like the Arizona State Fair faced cancellation or rescheduling. A flood watch remains in effect, with further storm activity anticipated throughout the weekend.
Severe Monsoon Storms Disrupt Activities and Travel in Phoenix on Friday
Phoenix experienced significant disruptions on Friday, September 26, 2025, due to a severe monsoon thunderstorm system passing through the region. Heavy rainfall, hail, and lightning caused widespread delays, cancellations, and safety concerns across the metropolitan area.
Weather Conditions and Rainfall Totals
Starting early in the morning, residents reported intense storms with substantial precipitation. The National Weather Service recorded over 1.11 inches of rain at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport by 1:55 p.m., exceeding the total rainfall typically accumulated during the entire monsoon season. Overall, the season-to-date rainfall reached 2.02 inches with only days remaining before the official end date of September 30. Rainfall amounts varied significantly across the metro area; Fountain Hills reported more than 2 inches, while parts of the East Valley received less than a tenth of an inch.
The storms produced large hail, measuring between 1 and 1.5 inches in diameter, and extensive lightning across the valley. The combination of these elements prompted warnings and ongoing flood advisories.
Emergency Response and Safety Measures
Flooding caused by the heavy rain resulted in partial flooding of major highways and roads, creating hazardous driving conditions and prompting emergency response teams to perform numerous water rescues. Although no severe damages or injuries were reported, authorities remained vigilant as conditions persisted.
At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, significant flight delays were reported due to weather-related disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued ground stops at both Phoenix and Las Vegas airports, affecting numerous flights. The ongoing thunderstorms and lightning also contributed to delays across other regional transportation services.
Impact on Events and Public Attractions
Due to the inclement weather, several events and venues experienced closures or modifications. The Arizona State Fair was closed for the day, with organizers offering free admission tickets that could be redeemed through October 26. These tickets were available from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., encouraging visitors to attend at a later date when conditions improved.
Additionally, a high school football game between ALA West Foothills and Arcadia High School scheduled around 3:30 p.m. was canceled. Nonetheless, dozens of other high school games slated for 7 p.m. proceeded as planned, although players and spectators had to navigate the rain and possible storm threats.
Arizona State University’s football team had planned to participate in a nationally televised game against TCU at 6 p.m. The event’s associated Sparky’s Tailgate was canceled due to the weather, but the game itself was still scheduled to proceed barring further weather disruptions.
Forecast and Continuing Conditions
While the storm system diminished in intensity later in the day, a flood watch remained in effect until 11 p.m., with officials warning residents to stay alert for rapidly changing conditions and flash flooding potential. Meteorologists indicated that rain and thunderstorm chances would continue through the weekend, with additional showers expected overnight.
High temperatures are forecasted to stay below normal, around 90 degrees, through the weekend. The storms are associated with a robust low-pressure system off the Southern California coast, contributing to the late-season monsoon activity.
In the hours following the rainfall, many parts of Phoenix received over an inch of rain in less than an hour, illustrating the unexpectedly intense nature of the storms for the region. Forecasters emphasized caution, advising residents and travelers to avoid dangerous road conditions and be prepared for possible quick-changing weather situations.
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Additional Resources
- Arizona Central: Rain Chances Increase in Phoenix
- AZ Family: Friday Night Events Impacted by Monsoon Storm
- Fox Weather: Arizona and Nevada Weather Alert
- Fox 10 Phoenix: Arizona Weather Forecast
- KTAR: Thunderstorms and Flooding in Phoenix
- Wikipedia: Monsoon
- Google Search: Phoenix Weather
- Google Scholar: Phoenix Flooding September 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flash Flood
- Google News: Phoenix Monsoon Storm
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