A rainy, often loud storm pounded metro Phoenix Thursday afternoon, darkening skies and prompting a thunderstorm warning from the National Weather Service.
Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms developed in metro Phoenix before noon Thursday as the storm system moved into the Phoenix area, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Ted Whittock.
As of 2 p.m., flights departing from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were being delayed by an average of 30 minutes due to thunderstorms, according to the Federal Aviation Association. The delays could have been even higher. Just before 3 p.m., three flights were canceled, two were diverted, and 112 were delayed.
There were reports of pea-sized hail across the valley. Whittock said most of the lightning was concentrated south of downtown Phoenix around 1:30 p.m.
Flood advisories have been issued for parts of the central, western and southern valleys as heavy rain continues.
Conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for further thunderstorms. Some storms may strengthen.
Pea-sized hail is possible, along with wind gusts exceeding 30 mph.
Areas affected include Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Tempe, Peoria, Surprise, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Casa Grande, Apache Junction, El Mirage, Florence, and Fountain. -Includes Hills, Paradise Valley, Coolidge, and Tolleson.
This includes Interstate 10 between mile markers 98 and 202, Interstate 17 between mile markers 195 and 241, and Interstate 8 between mile markers 104 and 178. will appear.
Whittock said the storm was caused by a cold front moving through the area, which is common this time of year.
“We found that we had more extensive coverage than we originally expected,” Whittock said.
The storm should mostly clear out of the Phoenix area Thursday between 5 and 6 p.m. Warmer and sunny days are expected Friday and throughout the weekend.
