Rain blotches Phoenix area, more to come, maybe even snow dust

PHOENIX – The light rain that fell Thursday morning on metro Phoenix was going to make way for heavier splattering by evening, as a winter storm cut a swath across Arizona.

There was even a report of some snow near Globe, about 90 miles east of Phoenix.

The potential for flash floods around the Valley varied from moderate to low.

About an inch of rain was expected to hit the streets and highways in and around Phoenix, meteorologist Chris Kuhlman told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

An inch would set a record for the date. The high mark of 0.73 inches was set in 1973.

“Maybe higher amounts … toward New River and Cave Creek,” he said. Heading east, Apache Junction could get close to the same.

By 5 p.m., the rain total at Sky Harbor International Airport had reached .30 inches.

At 4:48 pm, Sky Harbor had received a total of 0.30" of rain. #azwx pic.twitter.com/SDTp59oEKF

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) February 21, 2019

9:05am Heres the operation map in the ALERT room! Rain gauges with current rain have red dots, so far between 0.05”-0.30”☔️. All that blue is ❄️☃️🌨! #azwx pic.twitter.com/xED8dGNdIe

— FCDMC Flood Info (@FCDFloodInfo) February 21, 2019

Good morning #Phoenix !! The #rain brings the green in the #spring ! Don’t forget the #umbrellas! pic.twitter.com/oB1QMRxgEh

— City of Phoenix, AZ (@CityofPhoenixAZ) February 21, 2019

Thousands of customers reported power outages in the Valley, starting around 2 p.m., according to the APS and SRP outage maps.

Traffic signals are not operational at the following intersections: 19th Ave/Glendale Ave, 15th Ave/Camelback Rd, 11th Ave/Camelback Rd. Officers will be directing traffic at these locations until temp signage arrives. Pls be patient and drive safely. #PhxTraffic #PhxStorm pic.twitter.com/fmVgrmqVT8

— Phoenix Police (@phoenixpolice) February 21, 2019

Scottsdale city leaders set up a self-serve sandbag station near East Via Linda and 96th Street.

More than 1-inch of rain is predicted over the next 24 hours – a self-serve sandbag station is open at 9379 E. San Salvador Drive.

— City of Scottsdale (@scottsdaleazgov) February 21, 2019

The spring training game between the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland A’s was rained out.

Friday rain would be scattered.

Heavy rain (primarily in central & eastern AZ) will continue through the evening before tapering off Fri morning. There will be embedded tstorms producing larger amounts of rainfall in addition to hail. Washes will continue to fill & cause hazardous driving conditions. #azwx pic.twitter.com/6BS4ZGV11Z

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) February 21, 2019

Historically, Phoenix averages four days of rain in February, about an inch of it.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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