This blog post summarizes and expands on recent news that a strong series of storms impacted central Arizona — especially the Phoenix metro area — around Monday, October 13, 2025.
It reviews the record rainfall observed at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport over the weekend, the ongoing flood risk, and practical advice for residents and emergency managers based on three decades of experience studying desert hydrology and urban weather impacts.
Storm overview and immediate impacts
Over the weekend, central Arizona was hit by an unusually vigorous storm train that produced rare, concentrated rainfall over the Valley of the Sun.
The event produced rapid accumulation on both urban surfaces and natural washes, challenging stormwater systems that are normally stressed in this arid region.
Forecasters have emphasized that additional storm cells remained possible through Monday.
Localized flooding continued to be a concern, particularly in areas with constrained drainage and along natural channels.
Record rainfall at Sky Harbor and why it matters
On Saturday, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport recorded 0.70 inches of rain, establishing a new daily record for that date.
That mark was quickly eclipsed on Sunday when the site measured 1.96 inches, setting another record for the calendar day.
For a desert city like Phoenix — where seasonal precipitation is typically low and infrastructure is designed with infrequent heavy rain in mind — nearly two inches in a single day is highly significant.
The rarity of these totals in the Sonoran Desert has several implications: soil and ground cover that are normally dry and impermeable after long sunny spells generate rapid runoff.
Roadside channels and washes can fill quickly, and urban drainage systems can be overwhelmed.
The heaviest downpours were reported in higher terrain north and east of the metro area.
This can send concentrated flows into lower-lying neighborhoods downstream.
Monitoring, forecasts, and response
Weather teams, including meteorologists Ian Schwartz and Paul Horton, have been tracking convective cells and highlighting areas most prone to flash flooding.
Their real-time monitoring helps identify fast-developing threats and informs messaging to the public and local emergency services.
As an experienced scientist who has studied desert flooding patterns for 30 years, I stress that small differences in rainfall intensity and location matter greatly.
A storm cell dumping heavy rain over a dry wash can produce life-threatening flows in minutes, while nearby neighborhoods may remain dry.
Practical safety steps — what residents and visitors should do now:
While the storms offer welcome relief from persistent heat — a beneficial side of receiving more moisture — they also underscore vulnerabilities in urban planning.
There is a need for resilient drainage solutions across central Arizona.
Temporary relief in temperature must be balanced against the short-term hazards posed by flooding.
Here is the source article for this story: Extreme weather to continue on Monday across parts of Arizona