Thunderstorms come close to Phoenix area, but dry heat keeping them at bay

PHOENIX – Signs of Arizona’s monsoon season have been showing up in other parts of the state, but so far the Phoenix area’s weather conditions have avoided the combination that creates the storms.

“Even if people think it’s humid out there, what we need to have is three days of 55 degree dew point. That provides enough fuel for thunderstorms. But we’re not going to hit it (in the next week),” Arizona State University climatologist Cerveny told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday.

The lack of major storm activity locally in July isn’t unusual, Cerveny said. The rainy weather has typically kicked in late in the month, he said.

“We’re still within reason of ‘going to have a monsoon but not to get too worried about it yet,'” Cerveny said.

The National Weather Service’s Phoenix bureau described Sunday as a low-grade monsoon day:

Although moisture has increased today, isolated storms will be confined to high terrain areas north/east/south of the Phoenix metro. There is a good chance that outflow winds and blowing dust make it into the lower deserts but storm chances remain low. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/Ypgm9f3hkG

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 14, 2019

But outside of the Valley, rain came down hard over the weekend.

I was about to file a missing persons report on #monsoon2019 but it’s cool…I found her! #azwx #stormhour pic.twitter.com/Er9hPHFKLx

— John Sirlin (@SirlinJohn) July 14, 2019

Heavy rain falls over Black Canyon City #azwx pic.twitter.com/PZpVnd3cdx

— Mark J. Rebilas (@rebilasphoto) July 14, 2019

A pretty serious monsoon storm dropping heavy rainfall on these mountains off SR 87 south of Payson. #abc15wx #azwx pic.twitter.com/Xcbx7tqxxK

— Max Walker (@WmMaxWalker) July 14, 2019

Slo-mo lightning near Eloy. #azwx pic.twitter.com/IqSVgTu3LC

— Kyle Benne (@KyleBenne) July 14, 2019

Coming out of a thunderstorm just south of Payson, AZ.#azwx #azmonsoon2019 #Monsoon2019 pic.twitter.com/OL3rGhvmnM

— Paul Simpson (@K7PDS) July 14, 2019

“It’s going to take a little more time for the moisture to actually get here into the Salt River Valley,” Cerveny said.

The Maricopa County Flood Control District reported dangerous heat conditions were also expected Tuesday, but not storm activity.

“It’s going to take a little more time for the moisture to actually get here into the Salt River Valley,” Cerveny said.

Up in Flagstaff, some weather professionals were actively rooting for the storm season to get underway:

Here's a look at today's thunderstorm chances. Expect decreased activity across western Arizona with the White Mountains continuing with the best chances. For some of us, sadly, further drying is expected with only a slow return of storms late in the week. C'mon monsoon! #azwx pic.twitter.com/xiBdNPRMpg

— NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) July 15, 2019

An excessive heat warning was in effect Monday and Tuesday in the Phoenix area. Highs were expected to reach about 113 degrees both days.

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

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