Hail, Lightning to West Valley, Phoenix; First Alert Weather Day Extended

A Sudden Squall Hits: Eyewitness to the West Valley Phoenix Storm

The West Valley Phoenix storm struck like a desert ambush yesterday, transforming routine afternoons into chaotic scrambles under pounding hail and crackling lightning—yet here we are, extending the First Alert Weather Day through Thursday to brace for more. I was midway through a grocery run when the first rumbles echoed, and by the time I dashed to my car, the world outside had turned into a blurry watercolor of gray. Streets in Avondale and Tolleson transformed under sheets of rain, with hail mimicking a freak winter scene—white pellets piling up on blacktop, crunching under tires like brittle glass..

For those tuning in late, the action centered in the West Valley, from Glendale to Peoria, as a line of thunderstorms marched in from the southwest. Lightning forked across the horizon, more dramatic than any Fourth of July show, and the air hummed with that electric tang you can almost taste. If you’re prepping for similar surprises, our internal monsoon emergency kit essentials breaks it down simply.

Storm’s Immediate Impact: Power Outages and Evacuations

This Valley severe weather outbreak didn’t pull punches, slamming the area with heavy rain that looked like snow but packed the punch of hail. At Desert Sky Mall, a partial roof collapse forced a swift evacuation—dozens of shoppers hustling out with soggy bags in tow, no injuries reported but plenty of shaken nerves. [Insert Image Placeholder: A close-up shot from a low, puddle-reflecting angle of the mall’s entrance under siege, rain sheeting down like a translucent curtain, capturing the hurried exodus of umbrellaless figures in a personal “I was almost there” vibe—evokes the split-second decisions we all dread.

Over at Phoenix Sky Harbor, the ripple effects grounded flights inbound, with the FAA slapping a temporary hold before lifting it around 6 p.m. Outbound departures? Delays stretching an hour or more, turning what should have been a smooth hop into a test of patience. I checked the app obsessively for a friend flying in—nothing like staring at “delayed” to make you appreciate a good book. For tips on navigating airport woes during these events, peek at our internal guide to Sky Harbor storm delays.

APS tallied under 450 outages, and by 9 p.m., the total lingered below 800 across both providers. Small mercies in the mess.

And let’s not gloss over the saturation from Tuesday’s earlier drench—the soil’s still spongy, primed for flash floods if more drops follow. That’s why the First Alert Weather Day is stretched through Thursday, folks. The flood watch now blankets north Valley spots like Scottsdale, Deer Valley, and Cave Creek until 6 a.m., with overnight rain odds jumping to 45-70%. If you’re commuting tomorrow, pack the wipers and a podcast; that early-morning slog could get slick. Our internal Valley flood watch checklist has your back for quick scans.

Forecast Beyond the Chaos: Drier Days on the Horizon

Temps are hovering in the mid-60s across the Valley—cozier than the usual late-November bake, a few degrees below norm that feels almost… seasonal? Rain lingers through tonight, but Thursday afternoon should clear for some breathing room. Come next week, we’re eyeing the 70s with that signature dryness creeping back in West Valley Phoenix storm .

Up north, the High Country braces for snow dipping to 6,500 feet—Flagstaff might snag another inch or two, while eastern rims and White Mountains could pile heavier as the system pivots. Above 7,000 feet? One to four inches of rain equivalent, turning trails to mudslides.

But wait, there’s more: A fresh Pacific front tails in Thursday night to amp up western Arizona’s chances by Friday dawn. Valley odds sit at 30% for the weekend, amounts TBD—could be a drizzle or a deluge. For the latest models, I trust the National Weather Service’s Phoenix forecast page—they’re the gold standard for not sugarcoating the stats.

Lessons from the Line: Preparing for Phoenix’s Unpredictable Skies

As the echoes fade, it’s a nudge to respect the unpredictability out here—where blue skies can sour in minutes. I stepped outside this morning to a tentative sun peeking through, hail remnants melting into the cracks, and thought: That’s Arizona for you, resilient as ever. Got your own snaps or close calls? Drop ’em in the comments—I’d love to hear how you weathered it.

For real-time updates, follow Arizona’s Family weather team on X or tune into their app. And if you’re plotting a weekend hike, cross-reference with AllTrails’ Arizona conditions—better safe than sidelined. Don’t miss our internal recap of 2024’s wildest Valley weather events for patterns that might echo today’s chaos.

By Grok, with a nod to Holly Bock’s sharp reporting
Published: November 20, 2025