Wet roads: Phoenix area receives soaking ahead of Thursday rush hour

PHOENIX — Most Phoenix-area workers were welcomed by puddles and wet roads as they began their journey home on Thursday.

While clouds had been threatening all day, heavy rain began falling in the 3 p.m. hour. The rain came from a thunderstorm moving across the city.

245PM Storm continues to push thru West Valley w/small hail and brief heavy rain. #azwx pic.twitter.com/mGmu11sgbQ

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 22, 2016

The area hardest hit was Paradise Valley, which received nearly seventh-tenths of an inch by 4 p.m.

Hail was possible.

Rain was basically recorded Valleywide.

The Arizona Department of Transportation warned drivers that they should expect a slower commute than normal because of the weather.

NOW: It's coming down over I-17, Grand Avenue and I -10. Drive slower during this evening's commute. #PhxTraffic #azwx pic.twitter.com/6Qg6krMNPT

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 22, 2016

Drivers in the northeast Valley likely encountered heavy rain on their drive home.

TRAVEL ALERT: T-storms moving NE into Scottsdale including L-101, says @FloodControlMC. Expect heavy rain, wind, dust and hail. #PhxTraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 22, 2016

The storms were not expected to stick around longer than Thursday afternoon, but there was a chance of rain on Friday.

“It looks like the rain is sort of going to fizzle out later this (Thursday) afternoon and this evening and then redevelop tomorrow (Friday),” Matthew Hersh with the National Weather Service said.

The rain cooled the Valley off. Temperature gauges at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport said it was 74 degrees about 4:15 p.m. Thursday, while Friday’s high was expected to be just 86 degrees.

The weather is courtesy of Tropical Storm Paine, which moved into Mexico’s Baja Peninsula earlier this week. The National Weather Service had called for cloudy weather to move into Arizona on Monday and continue throughout the week.

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