NWS warns of destructive baseball-sized hail across Valley

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning Wednesday afternoon for destructive baseball-sized hail.

A severe thunderstorm watch is also in effect for parts of Arizona until 9 p.m. Wednesday, as a strong storm system brings rounds of storms to central and eastern Arizona.

The National Weather Service in Phoenix said storms could become severe, with large hail and damaging winds as the main threats. Storms are most likely north and east of the Phoenix area this evening.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Arizona until 9 PM MST https://t.co/PRk1FUQqXJ

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) October 21, 2026

Northern Arizona is also under a rare tornado watch until 6 p.m., covering Mohave, Coconino, Yavapai and Navajo counties. It is the state’s first tornado watch since 2010. A tornado warning was issued Wednesday afternoon for Show Low, Lake of the Woods and Linden in Navajo County until 4 p.m. Several tornado warnings were issued earlier Wednesday, but none led to a confirmed tornado as of 1 p.m.

In the Valley, a supercell storm dropped hail larger than an inch across parts of the East Valley on Tuesday night.

Heavier rain is expected overnight into Thursday morning, with some areas getting more than an inch. Most of the Phoenix area is under a flood watch until 5 p.m. Thursday, including Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Mesa, Queen Creek, Apache Junction and Buckeye.

A second watch, through 11 p.m. Thursday, covers Globe-Miami, Superior, Tonto Basin and the Superstition Mountains.

Drier, cooler weather arrives Friday, with Valley highs struggling to reach 80 degrees this weekend.

Related

Tornado warning issued for Show Low area under rare northern Arizona tornado watchSupercell thunderstorm pelts East Valley with rain, hail; similar weather expected across regionThunderstorms 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?