PHOENIX — Showers and thunderstorms are moving through the Valley tonight!
With any of these storms, watch out for heavy downpours, dangerous lightning, powerful wind gusts and even isolated flooding. Areas of blowing dust are possible in the Valley and across our central deserts, too.
So far, we have only had a trace of rain at Sky Harbor since the start of the monsoon season. 2023 is now in the top spot for the latest first measurable monsoon rain on record. (Phoenix didn't get measurable rain until August 14th back in 1995. Prior to this year, that was the latest on record.)
We are also currently in the middle of the second longest dry streak on record. It has been 145 days since we've had measurable rain at Phoenix Sky Harbor. The longest dry streak on record is 160 days back in 1972.
We're also tracking more extreme heat.
Excessive Heat Warnings are now in effect Wednesday and Thursday for the Phoenix metro area and near Yuma. So, those days will be ABC15 Weather Action Days as a reminder to take action to keep you, your family and your pets safe from the potentially dangerous heat.
Heat is the number one weather-related killer. So, remember to limit your time outside during the hottest part of the day and stay hydrated. Keep an eye on kids and the elderly as they can be the most affected by the heat. Bring your pets inside, too.
Phoenix has now had 44 days this summer at 110 degrees or hotter. That's the second most ever recorded. The record is 53 days set in 2020 and we will definitely make a run at that record this year as high heat continues through August.
With this morning's low of just 90 degrees, we've also now tied the record for the most lows in the 90s in any year. We're now up to 28 days with lows in the 90s, tying the record set in 2020. Overnight lows in Phoenix are only expected to drop to low 90s for the rest of the week, so we will keep adding to that tally.
We are anticipating a big cool down this weekend, though!
Latest forecast models show a tropical storm developing off of the western coast of Mexico this week. Moisture from that storm could get pulled up in our monsoon flow by this weekend. That would drop temperatures and significantly increase our weekend storm chances. Stay tuned for updates as we get closer!
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2023 Rainfall totals:
Sky Harbor Official Rainfall: 2.88" (-1.43" from average)
Valley Average (Phoenix Rainfall Index): 3.57"
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Daily rainfall reports from all across the Valley can be found here.
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PHOENIX IS GETTING DRIER - LOWER RAINFALL AVERAGES NOW
Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 2.71" of rain
NEW Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 2.43" of rain
Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 8:03" of rain
NEW Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 7.22" of rain
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