Monsoon storms roll through the Valley with rain, gusty winds

PHOENIX — Thunderstorms rolled through metro Phoenix on Monday night, bringing rain and strong wind gusts to the Valley.

A good portion of the region received measurable rain by the end of the night, but less than .1 inches for the most part. The heaviest activity was in the far East Valley and to the north, with more than a half-inch falling in the Apache Junction and Cave Creek areas.

Phoenix officially got rain for just the second time this monsoon season. The weather station at Sky Harbor International Airport, which the National Weather Service uses for the city’s official readings, measured .04 inches, the most in one day since March 16.

Just before 8 p.m., the National Weather Service reported a cluster of storms approaching the Phoenix area, with another cluster from the south behind it.

We are seeing a cluster of storms approaching the Phoenix area. Lightning activity, gusty winds, and brief heavy downpours are likely with this activity. Another cluster of storms north of Tucson will likely impact Phoenix soon after. #azwx pic.twitter.com/spux3rcvUU

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 22, 2023

Earlier in the evening, an East Valley thunderstorm produced damaging winds up to 60 mph near Apache Junction and portions of east Mesa.

The storm was strong enough that trees were uprooted at the Apache Junction City Hall, according to Al Bravo, the city’s public information officer.

The activity came at end of a cloudy day when the temperature peaked at 91 degrees in Phoenix, the city’s coolest high since May 11.

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