Heavier monsoon storms expected after Phoenix’s wettest day of 2026

Monday was Phoenix’s wettest day of the year so far, but even heavier monsoon storms are expected to hit the Valley in the coming days.

“Some areas did receive over an inch, but that’s really localized. I would say most areas saw anywhere from a tenth to a quarter of an inch and fairly widespread winds of 40 to 50 miles per hour,” meteorologist Chris Kuhlman of the National Weather Service in Phoenix told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday morning.

The heaviest rainfall was just north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The airport itself, which the weather service uses for the city’s official records, received 0.37 inches Monday night after getting 0.01 inches in the early-morning hours.

The day’s rainfall total of 0.38 inches was the highest for Phoenix since 0.41 inches came down on Nov. 22, 2025. In fact, it was the airport’s first measurable precipitation since March 29 and eclipsed the previous total of 0.32 inches for all of 2026.

Monsoon could cause flooding in Phoenix this week

If the forecast holds, Phoenix won’t have to wait another 100-plus days for its next rain event. Kuhlman said there wasn’t a big weather disturbance to boost Monday’s storms, but that won’t be the case later this week.

“We will have that (a weather disturbance) on Thursday, and we will have even better moisture. … We’re looking at areas of heavy rainfall. We may even have to worry about a flood watch and that kind of stuff. We’ll have to wait and see,” he said.

Tuesday and Wednesday will be hot and humid, with highs of about 107 degrees, which is normal for this time of year, and 20% to 30% rain chances.

Monsoon storm activity is expected to ramp up Wednesday night and cool things off in the ensuing days as it brings more rain to the Valley.

“Highs in the 90s, or at least mid- to upper 90s, seems fairly likely for one or two days later this week. So, active monsoon weather — gotta enjoy it, hopefully,” Kuhlman said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Colton Krolak contributed to this report.

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