A powerful winter storm moved east across the central Arizona deserts on the 8th of March, and the associated cold front passed over the area during the afternoon hours bringing gusty winds in excess of 50 mph, locally heavy rain and small to moderate hail. The cold front generated scattered thunderstorms, which produced locally damaging winds in the greater Phoenix area, and locally heavy thunderstorm rains caused some flooding of streets and washes. Flooding of washes occurred in the community of Scottsdale, and one woman was found dead in one of the flooded washes.

Hail in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 08-MAR-13 14:35:00 to 08-MAR-13 14:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: WEST CHANDLER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Scattered thunderstorms, some with moderate hail, moved across the greater Phoenix area during the middle of the afternoon on March 8th. Communities such as Ahwatukee and Guadalupe recorded hail approaching one inch in diameter. According to a National Weather Service employee, at 243 pm hail measured at three quarters of an inch in diameter fell near 38th street and Ray Road in Ahwatukee. Additionally, a trained weather spotter 1 mile east of Guadalupe reported nickel hail at the intersection of Kyrene and Guadalupe roads at 235 pm.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 08-MAR-13 14:39:00 to 08-MAR-13 14:39:00 (MST-7)
Location: MESA
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Scattered thunderstorms associated with a passing cold fornt moved east and across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on March 8th. Some of the storms produced damaging outflow winds in excess of 60 mph. Some of the storms affected east valley communties such as Mesa. At 239 pm, a large tree was blown down at the Mesa Riverview shopping center, according to a public report. No damage or injuries were reported due to the downed tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 08-MAR-13 14:43:00 to 08-MAR-13 14:43:00 (MST-7)
Location: PAPAGO AAF ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Scattered thunderstorms, associated with a passing cold front, moved east across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on March 8th. Some of the storms generated gusty and damaging outflow winds. According to a public report, at 243 pm a number of tree limbs were blown down at 60th street between Indian School and Thomas roads in downtown Scottsdale. No injuries were reported. Wind gusts were estimated to be at least 50 mph, and the time of damage was estimated based on radar information.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 08-MAR-13 12:00:00 to 08-MAR-13 15:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: ESTRELLA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours on March 8th over portions of south central Arizona, including the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. The storms generated locally heavy rainfall; radar indicated that rainfall totals exceeded one inch with some of the stronger storms. Although Flash Flood Warnings were not issued, an Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory was issued for south central Arizona at 120 pm. According to a National Weather Service employee, the locally heavy thunderstorm rains caused flooding of highway 238 west of Maricopa during the early afternoon hours. At 215 pm, water was reported to be one foot deep on highway 238 approximately 3 miles east northeast of Estrella. The highway was impassable by car. Fortunately, no accidents of injuries were reported due to the flooding.

Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 08-MAR-13 13:20:00 to 09-MAR-13 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: SCOTTSDALE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Scattered thunderstorms associated with a powerful winter storm dropped locally heavy rainfall across portions of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, including the community of Scottsdale, during the afternoon hours on March 8th. An Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory was issued at 120 pm for south central Arizona, including Fountain Hills and Scottdale, and it continued through 315 pm. Radar indicated that rain in excess of 1 inch fell during this period, with additional rain occurring late into the day. The rain led to the flooding of washes in Scottsdale. According to a Fox 10 article, Scottsdale police identified the body of a woman found in a rain swollen wash in Scottsdale on Saturday afternoon on March 9th. The woman, 38 years old, was found in the wash just north of Chaparral Road, off Hayden Road. She lived in a group home about 1 imile away from the wash and she was reported missing Friday as the weather worsened. A man who was in the area Saturday afternoon spotted the woman floating in the water, and called 911. Police then arrived at the wash at about 430 pm Saturday.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 08-MAR-13 14:45:00 to 08-MAR-13 14:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: CHANDLER
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Scattered thunderstorms, associated with a passing cold front, moved across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on March 8th. Some of the storms affected southeast valley communities such as Chandler, and they produced locally strong and gusty outflow winds. According to a trained weather spotter about 1 mile northwest of Tumbleweed Park in Chandler, at 245  pm wind gusts estimated to be at least 60 mph caused a 10 inch diameter Palo Verde tree to be uprooted and knocked down. Another trained spotter 1 mile east of Chandler also reported a 6 inch diameter tree blown down at 245 pm.