PHOENIX — The Valley is expected to dry out and might even get some sun Saturday afternoon before strong thunderstorms are possible overnight headed into Sunday.
Although rainfall was light to moderate Friday night into Saturday morning, it only took four hours on Saturday for Phoenix to receive a record amount of rain for Oct. 11.
“Rainfall accumulations for the most part have been ranging between a quarter of an inch in some spots to up to an inch in some spots, but most areas have been between (0.25 to 0.75 inches) with isolated higher amounts up to an inch in some areas,” Meteorologist Gabriel Lojero with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Saturday morning.
However, Lorejo said that from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. rainfall activity will move east before conditions dry out headed into the afternoon.
When are the possible thunderstorms expected to start?
After the break from the rain, the meteorologist stated that some stronger thunderstorms with the potential for intense rainfall could develop across the Valley after 7 p.m. Lorejo added that the activity could continue overnight into Sunday morning.
“That’s where the flash flood threat is going to increase given that … we may have a lot of rain in a short amount of time,” Lorejo said.
The flood watch was originally supposed to last in metro Phoenix through Saturday night but was extended by NWS to last through Sunday evening.
Lorejo explained that due to the ground already being saturated from the rainfall, it will be easier for instantaneous rainfall to materialize.
“Always be conscious that if you see water on a roadway, turn around because you never know how deep that water is,” Lorejo said.
According to Lorejo, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which NWS uses for the city’s official readings, has received 1.01 inches of rain since Thursday.
“There’s a potential that we may add potentially another half-an-inch to an inch, maybe higher depending on where the heavier thunderstorms set up,” Lorejo said. “So, there’s going to be more rainfall coming in the next 24 to 36 hours.”
However, Lorejo said that later on Sunday into Monday weather will improve with more isolated showers around Valley.
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