Thunderstorm warnings issued for Phoenix area

Staff reports
Updated ·7 min read

The National Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Maricopa County starting at 7:41 p.m. July 24. The warnings expire at 11:15 p.m. July 24.

A severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles northwest of Palo Verde, or 7 miles southwest of Buckeye, moving southeast at 10 mph; 60 mph wind gusts were predicted. Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted included Buckeye, Palo Verde, Wintersburg, Hassayampa, and Arlington.

This included the following highways: Interstate 10 between mile markers 102 and 114; State Route 85 between mile markers 145 and 154.

A severe thunderstorm also was located near Luke Air Force Base, or 7 miles southwest of Waddell, moving southeast at 15 mph; 60 mph wind gusts were predicted. Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted included Glendale, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Tolleson, Cashion, Litchfield Park, Perryville, Luke Air Force Base, Liberty, and White Tank Mountain Park.

This included the following highways: Interstate 10 between mile markers 115 and 134; Loop 101 near mile marker 2; Loop 303 between mile markers 105 and 114.

A severe thunderstorm also was located near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, or 7 miles southwest of Apache Junction, moving southeast at 15 mph; 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail were predicted. Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted included Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, east Mesa, Queen Creek, Gilbert City Hall, downtown Mesa, Tumbleweed Park, Superstition Springs Mall, Chandler City Hall, San Tan Village Mall, Freestone Park, Fiesta Mall, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, and Higley.

This included the following highways: U.S. 60 between mile markers 178 and 193; State Route 87 between mile markers 163 and 173; Loop 202 between mile markers 29 and 49.

Another severe thunderstorm also was located over Mesa, moving south at 10 mph; 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail were predicted. Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted included Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, east Mesa, Queen Creek, Mesa Riverview Mall, Gilbert City Hall, Falcon Field Airport, Salt River Indian Community, Downtown Mesa, Tumbleweed Park, Superstition Springs Mall, Chandler City Hall, San Tan Village Mall, and Freestone Park.

This included the following highways: U.S. 60 between mile markers 178 and 193; State Route 87 between mile markers 163 and 180; Loop 202 between mile markers 11 and 49.

A severe thunderstorm also was located near Estrella Mountain Park, or near Avondale, moving south at 10 mph; 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail were predicted. Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted included Avondale, Phoenix International Raceway, and Komatke.

A severe thunderstorm also was located near Tolleson, moving south at 15 mph; 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail were predicted. Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted included: Phoenix, Avondale, Tolleson, Laveen, Cashion, South Mountain Park, Phoenix International Raceway, downtown Phoenix, south Phoenix, Arizona State Fairgrounds, and Komatke.

This included the following highways: Interstate 10 between mile markers 130 and 145, and between milemarkers 159 and 162; Interstate 17 between mile markers 195 and 203; U.S. 60 between mile markers 159 and 160.

A severe thunderstorm also was located over Piestewa Peak Park, or over Phoenix, moving southeast at 10 mph; 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail were predicted. Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted included Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Paradise Valley, Mesa Riverview Mall, Tempe Marketplace, Papago Park, Piestewa Peak Park, Arizona Mills Mall, Salt River Indian Community, North Mountain Park, Arizona State Fairgrounds, downtown Phoenix, downtown Scottsdale, and Metro Center.

This included the following highways: Interstate 10 between mile markers 144 and 157; Interstate 17 between mile markers 195 and 196, and between mile markers 203 and 209; State Route 51 between mile markers 1 and 15.

A severe thunderstorm also was located near Maricopa, or 19 miles southwest of Sun Lakes, moving southwest at 10 mph; 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail were expected. Also expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted included Maricopa, Estrella Sailport, Stanfield, Mobile, and Ak-Chin Village.

This included the following highways: Interstate 8 between mile markers 151 and 160; State Route 238 between mile markers 19 and 44; State Route 347 between mile markers 161 and 180.

A severe thunderstorm also was located near Laveen, moving south at 10 mph; 70 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail were predicted.

Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings.

Locations impacted included Phoenix, Glendale, Avondale, Tolleson, Youngtown, Laveen, Cashion, Sun City, Glendale Sports Complex, south Phoenix, North Mountain Park, Arizona State Fairgrounds, South Mountain Park, Phoenix International Raceway, and downtown Peoria.

This included the following highways: Interstate 10 between mile markers 131 and 147; Interstate 17 between mile markers 195 and 209; U.S. 60 between mile markers 150 and 160.

A severe thunderstorm also was located near Arrowhead Mall, or near Peoria, and is nearly stationary; 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail were predicted.

Locations impacted included Phoenix, Glendale, Sun City, Glendale Sports Complex, Piestewa Peak Park, Downtown Peoria, Arrowhead Mall, Downtown Glendale, Metro Center, North Mountain Park, and Deer Valley Airport.

This included the following highways: Interstate 17 between mile markers 203 and 215; State Route 51 between mile markers 3 and 8; U.S. 60 between mile markers 148 and 160.

A severe thunderstorm also was located over Metro Center, or near Glendale, moving south at 10 mph; 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail were predicted. Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted include Phoenix, Glendale, Sun City, Glendale Sports Complex, Piestewa Peak Park, Downtown Peoria, Arrowhead Mall, Downtown Glendale, Metro Center, North Mountain Park, and Deer Valley Airport.

This includes the following highways: Interstate 17 between mile markers 203 and 215; State Route 51 between mile markers 3 and 8; U.S. 60 between mile markers 148 and 160.

A severe thunderstorm also was located over Lost Dutchman State Park, or near Apache Junction, and is nearly stationary. Hazards included 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail. Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted include Mesa, Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Superstition Mountains, Gold Camp, Kings Ranch, Lost Dutchman State Park, and Goldfield.

This includes U.S. 60 between mile markers 193 and 206.

Future forecast: 2024 monsoon season has been wetter than expected. What can Arizona expect in August?

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 was generated by The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY Network using data released by the National Weather Service. It was edited by a staff member.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Thunderstorm warnings issued for Phoenix area