Flood watch issued for metro Phoenix with widespread monsoon storms in forecast

A flood watch has been issued for what’s expected to be a busy day and night of monsoon activity in and around metro Phoenix.

The flood watch is set to run from 2 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday and covers Maricopa County, northwest Pinal County and southern Gila County.

Meteorologist Chris Kuhlman of the National Weather Service in Phoenix said a combination of elevated moisture levels and atmospheric instability could produce heavy rainfall.

“Any stronger storms could easily drop 1 to 2 inches of rainfall in a short amount of time,” Kuhlman told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday morning.

The strongest cells could produce downpours at rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour.

The runoff could cause flash floods in low-lying locations and roadways as well as areas with poor drainage.

A Flood Watch will be in effect for Maricopa, Northwest Pinal, and Southern Gila Counties from 2 PM MST this afternoon through 5 AM MST Friday. Any T-storms that form will be capable of heavy rainfall and will likely be slow moving, increasing the flash flood potential. #azwx pic.twitter.com/ZMNKDDYdcl

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 16, 2026

What can be expected while flood watch is in effect?

Low-impact scattered showers could pop up around the area throughout the day. Monsoon storms are expected to develop Thursday afternoon in the high terrain north of Phoenix and move into the Valley.

“Some of that may impact some people; it won’t be widespread necessarily,” Kuhlman said.

However, embedded thunderstorms in the late evening and overnight hours are more likely to produce heavy rainfall.

“That’s where we are expecting the potential flooding issues,” Kuhlman said.

The rain is expected to continue overnight into Friday morning.

“There could be some during the afternoon, but if we have a lot of rain tonight, it’s pretty much going to ruin the chances for most of the activity on Friday,” Kuhlman said.

Typical monsoon conditions continue in Phoenix area

Once the heavy activity subsides, the Valley will settle into typical monsoon conditions, with the ongoing potential for isolated showers and thunderstorms.

“But we’re not expecting widespread rainfall in the Phoenix area this weekend,” Kuhlman said.

The storm activity is bringing some heat relief to the area. The forecast calls for high temperatures in the 90s on Friday and Saturday and the low 100s on Sunday and early next week.

The Valley has experienced monsoon conditions all week, with strong wind gusts, blowing dust and isolated storms developing in the afternoons and evenings.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which the National Weather Service uses for the city’s official readings, ended a monthslong dry spell when it received 0.38 inches of rain on Monday, making it the wettest day of the year so far. It was the airport’s first measurable precipitation since March 29 and eclipsed the previous total of 0.32 inches for all of 2026.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Anna Olp contributed to this report.

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