Thunderstorms develop in the Valley causing ground stop at Phoenix Sky Harbor

Thunderstorms made their into the Valley on Wednesday evening as a Flash Flood Watch is in effect for areas east of the Phoenix metro through Thursday.

The National Weather Service for Phoenix’s radar showed weather activity moving northeast into the West Valley and over Phoenix and Scottsdale around 5 p.m.

NWS issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Avondale, Goodyear, Tolleson, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Gilbert and Tempe, advising residents to expect up to 60 mph winds and the possibility of pea- and penny-sized hail.

The thunderstorms prompted a ground stop to be put in place for departures at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport until 8 p.m. The airport’s website showed 66 flights being delayed as of 7:15 p.m.

The Maricopa County Interactive Rainfall Data Map listed parts of the East Valley as receiving anywhere from 0.04 to 0.63 inches of rain by 6:30 p.m. In the West Valley, Goodyear and Litchfield Park had been splashed with 0.55 and 0.20 inches, respectively.

Earlier in the day, the weather authority said that Wednesday’s thunderstorms were capable of bringing heavy rainfall, which could lead to flash flooding.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the foothills east of Phoenix until 6 a.m. Thursday.

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