Rare Thanksgiving rain expected to fall on Phoenix area this weekend

PHOENIX – You might want to rethink those plans for playing football the park, waiting in line for doorbuster discounts or deep-frying turkeys in the backyard this weekend.

A rare bout of Thanksgiving rain is in the forecast, as Mother Nature seems to want Valley residents to spend their holiday indoors.

A significant weather system is expected to hit the Phoenix area from the northwest Wednesday night, bringing rain and chilly temperatures for several days.

“We’ll have a very good chance of rain starting very late Wednesday and early Thursday and then peaking during the day on Thursday, but then rain continuing into Friday night … and early Saturday,” James Sawtell of the National Weather Service in Phoenix told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday.

The next weather system for later this week will bring much cooler temperatures, rain to the deserts, and snow in the high country. Please plan ahead if traveling this holiday weekend. #azwx pic.twitter.com/E8AgucGTjr

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) November 25, 2019

Sawtell said Phoenix and surrounding areas could see about 1-3 inches of rain before the system moves out.

“There could also be some localized flash flooding associated with the heavy rain, particularly in the higher elevations north and east of Phoenix,” he said.

Thursday’s forecast includes a 90% chance for rain in Phoenix. The city hasn’t seen measurable rainfall on Thanksgiving since 2008, when .31 inches fell, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather could put a damper on holiday activities set to kick off this weekend. Phoenix ZooLights starts its annual run Thursday night, while the Mesa Merry Main Street and Glendale Glitters festivities begin Friday, to name a few.

The system won’t just be wet; it will also knock temperatures below normal for this time of year.

After a high of 73 on Sunday, Phoenix isn’t expected to see the 70s again until next week at the earliest. Friday-Sunday highs should be in the 50s, with chilly overnight temperatures in the 30s.

The high in Phoenix is forecast to be just 62 on Thursday, which would be the coldest Thanksgiving since the mercury topped out at 61 in 1979, according to the National Weather Service.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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