A vigorous upper level low pressure system moved out of the eastern Pacific and into Arizona on the first weekend of March, bringing locally heavy rainfall and isolated severe thunderstorms to south central Arizona. During the day on Saturday, March 1st, widespread moderate to heavy rain fell; many locations across the central deserts including the Greater Phoenix area picked up amounts in excess of one inch. The rain led to flooding of area roads and washes and prompted the issuance of several Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisories. In addition, isolated severe thunderstorms developed, affecting portions of the greater Phoenix area. The storms produced tree damage, generated small to moderate hail and even produced a weak tornado which briefly touched down in east Mesa.

Heavy Rain in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-14 15:45:00 to 01-MAR-14 17:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: CAVE CREEK
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A vigorous upper level Pacific low pressure system moved into Arizona during the day on Saturday March 1st, and produced scattered to numerous showers as well as isolated thunderstorms which affected the northern portions of the greater Phoenix area during the afternoon hours. Some of the heavier showers and thunderstorms produced locally heavy rainfall, with hourly rain rates exceeding one half inch per hour. According to a trained weather spotter located 5 miles northeast of Desert Ridge Marketplace in north Scottsdale, 1.5 inches of rainfall was measured ending at 1620MST. The heavy rain led to flooding of area roads, streams and washes and led to the issuance of both an Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory and a Flash Flood Warning. The Flash Flood Warning was issued at 1659MST and was in effect through 1900MT, and it covered areas including north Scottsdale, Carefree and Cave Creek.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-14 16:20:00 to 01-MAR-14 16:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: CAVE CREEK
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Isolated strong thunderstorms developed across the northern portions of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on March 1st, and they affected the communities of Pinnacle Peak and far north Scottsdale. The storms developed ahead of a strong Pacific upper level low pressure system moving eastward across the state. The storms generated gusty and damaging outflow winds estimated to be at least 65kt. There were numerous reports from the public about downed trees in and around the Echo Ridge at Troon North neighborhood. The trees ranged in height from 18 to 35 feet, with diameters ranging from 4 inches to 2 feet. In addition, the strong gusts blew chimneys off of two houses and also caused a number of the homes to lose their roof tiles.

Hail in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-14 16:20:00 to 01-MAR-14 16:25:00 (MST-7)
Location: CAVE CREEK
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

During the afternoon hours on March 1, isolated strong thunderstorms moved across portions of north Scottsdale and they produced hailstones which were up to a nickel in size. A trained spotter located about 5 miles south of Cave Creek, or 5 miles northeast of Desert Ridge Marketplace, measured hailstones with a diameter of 0.88 inches. No damage occurred as a result of the moderate hail.

Flood in PINAL, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-14 20:45:00 to 02-MAR-14 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: SANTAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A wet and powerful Pacific low pressure system moved slowly across Arizona on Saturday March 1st, and in the process generated scattered to numerous showers across much of south central Arizona, including the greater Phoenix area. Showers began during the morning hours and continued off and on into the evening, and they affected the community of San Tan Valley. Rainfall was moderate to heavy at times. The rains led to flooding of area roads and washes, and some areas remained inundated into the morning hours on Sunday March 2nd. At 1149MST, area law enforcement reported that Hunt Highway was closed from Ellsworth to Mountain Vista roads due to high water. The road remained closed into the morning hours on March 2nd.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-14 13:13:00 to 01-MAR-14 13:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: VELDA ROSE ESTATES
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A slow moving, vigorous Pacific low pressure system moving into Arizona led to the development of isolated strong thunderstorms across the greater Phoenix area during the afternoon hours on March 1st. According to a trained weather spotter in East Mesa, a strong thunderstorm blew down a number of trees on McKellips road between Greenfield and Higley roads. Thunderstorm outflow winds were estimated to be nearly 50 knots. The downed trees were approximately one quarter mile southwest of Falcon Field. Another spotter in the 6000 block of East Viewmont Drive and North Recker Road reported large Palo Verde and Mesquite trees blown over.

Hail in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-14 16:30:00 to 01-MAR-14 16:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: CAVE CREEK
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Isolated strong afternoon thunderstorms developed across the northern portions of the greater Phoenix area on March 1st, and they affected communities such as Pinnacle Peak and north Scottsdale. In addition to gusty and damaging outflow winds, the stronger thunderstorms produced many nickel sized hailstones. According to a public report, the nickel sized hailstones damaged a number of windows at the Rocks Club Condominium Development at 27440 North Alma School Parkway in north Scottsdale. The hailstones broke the first pane of double-paned windows in many of the homes.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-14 16:30:00 to 01-MAR-14 16:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: CAVE CREEK
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Isolated strong thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours on March 1st and they affected the northern portions of the greater Phoenix area, including the communities of Scottsdale and Pinnacle Peak.  The storms developed ahead of a vigorous Pacific low pressure system moving east and into the state. The storms produced gusty and damaging outflow winds, with peak gusts estimated to be at least 65kt. According to reports from the public, thunderstorm winds produced damage at the Rocks Club Condominium Development at 27440 North Alma School Parkway in Scottsdale. Gusty winds downed 13 large Palo Verde and Ironwood trees and blew many tile shingles off of the condominium roofs. In addition, a patio table was lifted and blown a distance of 100 yards. No injuries were reported due to the damaging winds.

Heavy Rain in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-14 10:00:00 to 01-MAR-14 13:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: CACTUS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A vigorous and wet Pacific low pressure system slowly moved into Arizona during the day on March 1st, and as a result scattered showers of moderate to heavy rain fell affecting much of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Scattered showers developed in the morning hours and persisted into the afternoon, affecting communities such as Glendale, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. According to a trained weather spotter 2 miles northeast of North Mountain Park, at 1212MST minor street flooding was observed due to locally heavy rainfall. The spotter measured 0.55 inches of rain which fell in a 30 minute period. Earlier rains which occurred during the late morning hours contributed to the street flooding. At approximately the same time, another trained spotter near Anthem measured nearly one inch of rain with the rainfall beginning during the previous night.

Heavy Rain in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-14 15:00:00 to 01-MAR-14 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: SUN CITY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms developed across south central Arizona during the afternoon hours on March 1st as a strong, wet Pacific low pressure system moved across the state. Locally heavy rainfall occurred, affecting the greater Phoenix area including communities such as Youngtown and Peoria. According to a trained weather spotter, heavy rainfall near the Loop 101 and Peoria Avenue caused minor flooding along Peoria Avenue, and traffic was forced to come to a stop. The street flooding occurred at approximately 1550MST. The heavy rain and street flooding also led to the issuance of an Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory at 1556MST. The advisory was in effect until 1756MST and included west valley communities such as Youngtown, Glendale and Peoria.

Tornado in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-14 12:40:00 to 01-MAR-14 12:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: MC QUEEN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A strong upper level low pressure system moved slowly east across Arizona on Saturday March 1st, and it led to the formation of isolated severe thunderstorms across the greater Phoenix area. Due to strong wind shear and modest instability, a small EF0 tornado developed in east Mesa. The tornado had a very short track, less than one mile, and touched down near Extension road and Main Street in the Palm Cove apartment complex. The tornado knocked down a number of large trees, ripped spanish roofing tiles off of a number of apartment units, and sent an empty hot tub flying 1300 feet across the apartment complex. Several eyewitnesses saw the tornado and the flying hot tub. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the tornado.