Storms on Friday, Saturday could bring flooding, over 2 inches of rain to most of metro Phoenix

PHOENIX — A meteorologist says the strongest storm system of the monsoon season will hit metro Phoenix over the next couple of days.

The storm system from south of the Valley is expected to converge with one from the north, leading to heavy moisture mostly on Friday and Saturday, James Sawtelle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday.

Most of the metro area will receive over an inch of rain and some will get over 2 inches, Sawtelle said. Select areas could see over 3 inches of rain over the two-day period.

A flood watch will be in effect Friday and Saturday in Phoenix.

Thunderstorm chances increase over the next several days with lower chances across SW AZ and SE CA. Heavy rain/flash flooding along with strong winds and blowing dust are the primary threats. A Flood Watch remains in effect Fri-Sat across much of AZ. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/Hm9tOLRFiD

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 18, 2022

“[The storm system] is carrying quite a bit of energy with it relative to other disturbances this monsoon season,” he said.

Precipitation chances start Thursday at 30% during the day before jumping to 60% at night.

Those chances increase to 70% Friday and peak at 80% Friday night into Saturday.

Sunday’s rain chances are 50% before dropping to 20% at night.

“Our moisture levels are going to gradually increase through the early part of the weekend and we’re going to see the impact of the low-pressure system to our south,” Sawtelle said.

The stormy conditions will bring down temperatures through the weekend.

Friday’s high is forecast to be 96 degrees before dropping to 92 degrees on Saturday and up to 95 degrees on Sunday.

Lows will be in the upper 70s during the stretch — 77 degrees on Friday, 78 on Saturday and 79 on Sunday.

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

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