PHOENIX — Thunderstorms moved across a large portion of Arizona on Sunday, from northern Arizona to the southern Arizona/New Mexico border.
Maricopa County was under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m. Sunday as rain and dust moved through parts of the Valley.
Blowing dust in the Valley also caused a ground stop at Sky Harbor Airport earlier in the day.
Crews with APS and SRP worked to restore services after thousands of people lost power due to storm activity earlier in the day.
At Lake Pleasant, the storms caused a chaotic scene for boaters, sinking or beaching around a dozen boats. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said it had to rescue about 30 people.
Here is a breakdown of the storm
6:45 p.m. - A Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues until 7 p.m. for Midway.
6 p.m. - There is a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the area of Theba and Piedra until 6:30 p.m.
5:45 p.m. - A dust storm warning is in effect for I-8 near Bosque, Gila Bend, Piedra and Sentinel until 6 p.m.
5:20 p.m. - Thunderstorms continue to develop over the Valley, bringing lightning and strong winds of up to 50 mph. Dust is blowing in Gila Bend and areas along the I-8.
4:55 p.m. - I-10 near Winterburg is under a dust storm warning until 5:15 p.m.
4:25 p.m. - A dust storm warning is in effect until 5:15 p.m. for I-10 near Avondale and Goodyear.
4:20 p.m. - A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Sunflower.
4:05 p.m. - A ground stop has been issued for Sky Harbor Airport due to dust storms in the Valley. Click here for the details.
4:05 p.m. - A Flash Flood Warning including Queen Valley is in effect until 7:00 p.m.
3:45 p.m.
Flood Control District of Maricopa County - Strong to severe thunderstorms will impact the Lake Pleasant recreational area over the next 30-90 minutes. Any of these storms have the potential to produce wind gusts of 40-60+mph with brief heavy rainfall with hail, and frequent lightning.
3:40 p.m.
A dust storm warning is in effect until 4:30 p.m. for I-10 near Avondale and Goodyear; and I-10, I-17, US-60 near Phoenix and Mesa.
3:40 p.m.
Dense blowing dust and winds up to 50 mph are traveling southeast along the 303 and west of the I-17. A dust storm warning is in effect. Pull aside, stay alive.
3:11 p.m.
A special weather statement issued for Phoenix, Mesa and Chandler says 40 mph winds can come through the area from now until 3:45 p.m.
3:04 p.m.
Anthem and New River are under a severe thunderstorm warning until 3:45 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
3 p.m.
Some arriving flights at Sky Harbor are being delayed due to the weather.
The storms are causing some arriving flights to be delayed an average of 56 minutes, an alert said.
2:50 p.m.
The National Weather Service says strong damaging winds are the primary concern with storms moving into the Valley.
2:37 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect for portions of Gila and Maricopa counties until 3:15 p.m.
A line of severe storms was extending from Horseshoe Reservoir to Punkin Center to near the Tonto Basin at 2:34 p.m., the National Weather Service said.
This includes the following roadways:
- AZ Route 87 between mile markers 206 and 227.
- AZ Route 188 between mile markers 245 and 265.
"For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building," the NWS said.
2:10 p.m.
Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for portions of Gila, Maricopa and Pinal counties until 2:45 p.m.
This includes Fountain Hills and Cave Creek.
A severe thunderstorm is near Superior, moving south at 5 mph. 60 mph winds and penny sized hail are possible.
The warning includes:
- US Highway 60 between mile markers 223 and 245
- AZ Route 177 between mile markers 164 and 167
2:00 p.m.
Storms are expected to push from Northern Arizona into the lower deserts between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., according to the NWS.
Strong to severe winds are a primary concern as an outflow boundary enters the lower deserts.
There is a 10 percent chance of winds above 58 mph and a 70 to 80 percent chance of winds stronger than 35 mph.
Dense blowing dust is also a possibility. Heavy rainfall is expected.
1:50 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Roosevelt until 2:15 p.m.
In Roosevelt, a severe thunderstorm was located 12 miles east of Tonto National Monument, or 13 miles east of Roosevelt, moving south at 20 mph, according to the National Weather Service. 60 mph wind gusts and penny-sized hail are possible. This includes AZ Route 188 between mile markers 232 and 244.
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Arizona Weather
Arizona has seen its fair share of severe weather. Here is a compilation of videos from various storms across the Grand Canyon state.