Rain, high winds, dust roll into metro Phoenix to close out Labor Day weekend

PHOENIX — Strong winds of up to 60 mph and some scattered rainfall were landing near Queen Creek on Monday evening, and thunderstorms are heading toward Phoenix, according to the National Weather Service.

Drivers on the Loop 101 in Scottsdale began seeing dust around 5:15 p.m. and a dust storm warning was issued by NWS until 6:30 p.m. for the Interstate 10 near Phoenix and Mesa and Interstate 10 near Casa Grande.

A severe thunderstorm warning was enacted shortly after for Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley and will last until 7 p.m.

A dust storm warning is in effect until 6:30 PM MST for I-10 near Casa Grande, AZ and I-10 near Phoenix–Mesa, AZ. pic.twitter.com/oTIAFJXw54

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 2, 2025

In addition to rain and wind, dust was initially invading eastern parts of the Valley including Gold Canyon and Chandler Heights.

As of 5 p.m., NWS radar showed a 10-30% chance of precipitation in Gilbert and Chandler. A few pockets in the incoming weather system had up to 50% for rain.

Parts of Fountain Hills were getting hit with up to 60-mph winds.

6:45pm CDT #SPC_MD 2026 , #azwx, https://t.co/NFEqhftez9 pic.twitter.com/RB9FqM8s64

— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) September 1, 2025

No significant rain was forecasted this Labor Day weekend until Monday night, and that was at 20% as of Friday.

Observed rainfall across the Valley on Labor Day

A couple of hours after storms entered the central part of the Valley, greater Scottsdale received by far the most rainfall. Roughly 0.47 inches landed near Pinnacle Peak as of 7:22 p.m.

Around the same time, Cline Creek, just north of Anthem, had received 0.43 inches, Phoenix’s Gateway Community College 0.20 and Mesa’s Falcon Field 0.08.

Cesar Chavez in south Phoenix observed 0.08 inches.

West Valley cities such as Glendale and Buckeye didn’t receive any measurable rainfall.

Phoenix rain has been rare this monsoon season

As of Friday, metro Phoenix had received only 0.5 inches of rain since monsoon season began on June 15.

Normal precipitation at this point in the season, which ends on Sept. 30, is about 1.5 inches.

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