Scattered monsoon thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours across portions of south-central Arizona, and they persisted into the evening hours bringing typical convective weather hazards to the lower deserts. Some locations, such as the west Phoenix, received damaging winds over 50 mph, blowing down trees in communities such as Peoria and Youngtown. A large tree blown down in Wickenburg fell across and blocked a roadway. Wind gusts to 60 mph damaged shingles in the town of Surprise. The gusty outflow winds created dust storm conditions southeast of Phoenix, as visibility dropped to near 200 yards near the town of Eloy during the late afternoon hours. Additionally, some storms produced heavy rain which led to evening flash flooding near Wickenburg; the Sols Wash was closed at the Vulture Mine Road due to flash flooding. Numerous products were issued, such as Dust Storm, Flash Flood, and Severe Thunderstorm warnings as a result of the active convective weather.

Dust Storm in CENTRAL DESERTS, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-17 17:30:00 to 15-JUL-17 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Afternoon thunderstorms developed to the southeast of Phoenix on July 15th and some of the stronger storms produced gusty outflow winds in excess of 40 mph. The strong winds moved across the lower deserts of northwest Pinal County and stirred up areas of dense blowing dust; visibilities fell to one quarter mile or lower in dust storm conditions. According to a NWS employee, at 1725MST visibility fell to one quarter mile in dust near Signal Butte and Ocotillo roads, about 2 miles northeast of Queen Creek. Additionally, at 1737MST a NWS employee reported visibility at 200 yards in the town of Eloy, 5 miles northeast of Arizona City. A Dust Storm Warning was issued for the area starting at 1739MST and it remained in effect until almost 2000MST.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-17 17:30:00 to 15-JUL-17 17:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: GLENDALE FRAM ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorms developed across the western and northwest portions of the greater Phoenix area during the afternoon hours on July 15th. The stronger storms produced gusty and damaging outflow winds estimated as high as 60 mph. At 1730MST, a report from the public was received that a 15 inch diameter pine tree was blown down near 99th Avenue and Olive Avenue, about 3 miles southeast of Youngtown. 15 minutes later, a trained spotter only a few miles away reported that a 4 inch diameter tree fell on a house near 89th Avenue and Northern Avenue, about 2 miles southwest of Peoria.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-17 17:45:00 to 15-JUL-17 17:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: ENNIS
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Strong thunderstorms developed across the northwest portion of the greater Phoenix area during the afternoon hours on July 15th. They produced gusty and damaging outflow winds estimated to as high as 60 mph. At 1745MST a trained spotter 1 mile south of the town of Surprise reported that gusty winds damaged shingles on the roof of a home. The home was near the intersection of West Bell Road and North Dysart Road. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect at the time; it was issued at 1731MST and it was in effect through 1800MST.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-17 18:10:00 to 15-JUL-17 18:10:00 (MST-7)
Location: WICKENBURG
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Strong thunderstorms developed near the town of Wickenburg during the late afternoon hours on July 15th. The storms produced gusty and damaging outflow winds, estimated to be as high as 60 mph. According to a trained weather spotter, at 1810MST the strong winds downed a 40 foot tall tree, which then fell over and blocked highway 60. No injuries were reported. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect for Wickenburg at the time; it was issued at 1755MST and was in effect through 1830MST.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-17 19:58:00 to 15-JUL-17 19:58:00 (MST-7)
Location: (GBN)GILA BEND MUNI
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Strong thunderstorms developed in the vicinity of Gila Bend during the evening hours on July 15, and some of the stronger storms generated strong outflow winds. At 1958MST, the official ASOS weather station located 5 miles of Gila Bend measured a wind gust of 58 mph. No damage was reported in Gila Bend due to the gusty winds.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-17 18:30:00 to 15-JUL-17 21:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: WICKENBURG MUNI ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Strong thunderstorms developed in the Wickenburg area during the late afternoon hours and some of them generated locally heavy rainfall with peak rain rates in excess of one inch per hour. The extreme rainfall near Wickenburg resulted in an episode of flash flooding; at 1830MST the Wickenburg Fire Department and Rescue reported that flash flooding had closed the Sols Wash at Vulture Mine Road. A Flash Flood Warning had already been issued for the area, beginning at 1813MST and continuing past 2100MST. Fortunately there were no accidents or injuries caused by motorists driving into the flooded wash.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-17 21:20:00 to 15-JUL-17 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: SHAWMUT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Isolated strong thunderstorms developed over portions of southwest Maricopa County as well as northwest Pinal County during the evening hours on July 15th and some of them produced locally heavy rainfall with peak rain rates in excess of one inch per hour. The rain led to some flash flooding along Highway 238 between the towns of Maricopa and Gila Bend. Highway 238 is very vulnerable to even modest amounts of rain near the highway as numerous washes cross the road and are easily flooded. According to the Arizona Department of Highways, at 2120MST Highway 238 was flooded at several wash crossings between milepost 40 and milepost 24. This resulted in the road being closed. Rainfall had mostly ended by late evening, however the road remained closed into the morning hours the next day when road crews were able to clean off the mud and debris over the road.