The 500 mb anticyclone has split with a weak center over central Arizona and a primary center over northern Oklahoma. The timing of this feature wrt the passage of the inverted trough is uncertain, and it will be interesting to see how this evolves. The strong easterly wind profile approaching the state means that a very intense meso-outflow is likely when and if storms organize over the mountains to the east and southeast.
Wind speeds are in knots.
The small box indicates the location of Phoenix, and the Salt and Verde River Basins are outlined. The surge affected the Valley and moisture returned in the evening when the strong easterlies subsided. Reports of severe hail, wind damage, and very heavy rains all came in from Zone 8 - mostly late. This system moved across the lower Colorado River Valley during the early morning today.