Rain heading out of Phoenix as spring officially arrives

PHOENIX – Downpours around the Phoenix area forced road closures Wednesday night and pushed a flood warning into effect for Thursday that was expected to last into early evening.

Some parts of the Valley got more rain than others – in less than 24 hours Sun City West was hit with 1.14 inches, Goodyear with 0.74, while Tempe had 0.25.

Pooling water shut down Cactus Road between Loop 303 and Cotton Lane; and Cotton Lane from Cactus to Peoria Avenue.

At the other end of the Valley, Queen Creek Road was closed from Signal Butte Road to Meridian Road because of a utility line trench issue created by rain.

The town of Queen Creek closed the dog and skate parks and the Queen Creek and Sonoqui Wash trails.

Although rain was expected to taper off – 20% chance for more – the National Weather Service issued an areal flood warning for Maricopa County that was set to last until 5:30 p.m., on the first day of spring.

The National Weather Service in Phoenix has Issued a Flood Warning for Maricopa County in South Central Arizona. https://t.co/7smNdXSFdj #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/v5UjevAE0i

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) March 19, 2020

The high was to be about 64 degrees with a low of 49. It will warm up again starting Friday, when it should be nearly 70 degrees.

The weather will continue to warm up all weekend. Saturday was forecast to reach 73 degrees, while Sunday and then Monday were each expected to be 77 degrees.

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