Thunderstorms move through Maricopa County

Staff reports
Updated ·4 min read
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Thunderstorms were moving through the Valley on Tuesday night, with the National Weather Service issuing several severe thunderstorm warnings for Maricopa County. Pinal County also was included in the warnings.

The weather service also said a strong thunderstorm would impact portions of Maricopa County through 11:15 p.m. Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near New River, moving east at 20 mph, with winds in excess of 40 mph and pea-size hail.

Latest weather news: Gusty Phoenix-area storms that overturned planes at Mesa airport may return

The weather service said conditions were favorable for scattered strong to severe thunderstorm development across south-central Arizona's lower deserts. Winds in excess of 40 mph and half-inch or larger hail would be possible.

Affected areas include Aguila Valley; Apache Junction, Gold Canyon; Buckeye, Avondale; Cave Creek, New River; central La Paz; central Phoenix; Deer Valley; East Valley; Fountain Hills, east Mesa; Gila Bend; Kofa; Mazatzal Mountains; New River Mesa; north Phoenix, Glendale; northwest Pinal County; northwest Valley; Pinal County, Superstition Mountains; Rio Verde, Salt River; Scottsdale, Paradise Valley; Sonoran Desert National Monument; South Mountain, Ahwatukee Foothills; southeast Valley, Queen Creek; Tonopah Desert; west Pinal County.

The West Valley received most of the rainfall, with parts of Buckeye receiving the most at 0.87 inches as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Maricopa County Flood Control District. Litchfield Park received nearly 0.4 inches of rain while Surprise and Glendale received about 0.35 and 0.24 inches respectively.

Though the West Valley saw most of the precipitation, central Phoenix saw a modest amount at 0.35 inches.

The weather service later warned of a "very dangerous storm" moving through Apache Junction and said parts of east Mesa suffered wind damage at about 9:16 p.m. The agency said the storm included 80 mph winds and penny-sized hail. It urged people in the area to stay indoors and away from windows.

The weather service also issued a flash flood advisory through 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.

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: Thunderstorms move through Maricopa County