Supercell thunderstorm pelts East Valley with rain, hail; similar weather expected across region

In a preview of things to come across the Phoenix area, a supercell thunderstorm with strong winds and hail moved through the East Valley on Tuesday night.

“It’s very important that people be weather aware during the next couple of days because we’re expecting very active weather,” Gabriel Lojero, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday morning.

With the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms and flash flooding during the next couple of days, here are some safety tips to keep you and those around you safe! #azwx pic.twitter.com/cCSIV1hqBZ

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) October 21, 2026

Tuesday night’s storm activity intensified as it moved north through Chandler and Mesa. It dropped more than 0.5 inches of rain in parts of Mesa and also brought rain to north Scottsdale, Anthem and New River.

Hail is not uncommon in Arizona storms this time of year

“We saw several reports of large hail in excess of 1 inch in diameter across these areas. There was also reported wind gusts in excess of 40 to 50 mph,” Lojero said.

9:55PM Radar Update: A dangerous Severe Warned storm is currently moving into the Chandler area and is moving toward portions of Tempe and Mesa. This storm is capable of severe hail and severe wind gusts. There may also be quick accumulating small hail. #azwx pic.twitter.com/LRlHQLwzSi

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) October 21, 2026

Another storm developed in northwestern Maricopa County on Wednesday morning and produced rain in and around Wickenburg.

Lojero said thunderstorms with hail are not out of the ordinary during storms that develop in the fall after the monsoon season ends.

The conditions are right for storms with similar properties to develop across the Valley on Wednesday and Thursday.

“That’s what we’re going to likely see with these thunderstorms during the next couple of days, is large hail. It’s something that we usually tend to see with these transitional events,” he said.

Storms have potential for tornadoes

The forecast also includes something far less common than hail – tornadoes.

“There’s a potential for a few tornadoes to develop, especially across the higher terrain,” Lojero said.

Arizona sees an average of four to six tornadoes per year, according to the Arizona State Climate Office, typically in the EF0 to EF2 range of the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

The weather service issued several tornado warnings in northern Arizona on Wednesday morning.

A more likely threat in the Phoenix area is flash flooding. In fact, the weather service issued a flood watch for much of central, eastern and northern Arizona from 2 p.m. Wednesday through 5 p.m. Thursday.

“It’s potentially also very dangerous weather with strong-to-severe thunderstorms as well as heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding. … If a warning is issued for your area, make sure to take the proper actions,” Lojero said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Colton Krolak contributed to this report.

Related

Tornado warning issued for Flagstaff and surrounding communitiesThunderstorms could bring flooding, strong winds, hail and even tornadoes to Phoenix areaThunderstorms with potential to produce flash flooding expected in Phoenix area this weekLight rain moves into Phoenix metro following high windsIs Arizona’s water supply getting boost from recent storms, El Niño?Parts of metro Phoenix see showers before evening lull, overnight ramp up