Weather
AZ Monsoon: Storms With 60+ MPH Winds Possible in Phoenix; NWS
There's a 10-15 percent chance of an afternoon thunderstorm in the Phoenix area on Thursday, with storms producing 60+ MPH wind.
PHOENIX, AZ — A bout of unstable airflow has elevated the Valley's storm chances on Thursday afternoon and evening.
That's the verdict from the National Weather Service's Phoenix office, which tweeted a threat about the storms' development.
The Valley has between a 10-15 percent chance of precipitation, though those that do develop will produce winds reaching 60 MPH, with blowing dust being the main issue with any that hit the region, the service said.
Find out what's happening in Phoenixfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
1/ Valley storm chances this afternoon/evening are about 10-15% but the environment is favorable for storms that can develop to produce strong gusty winds 40+ mph. Chances for localized stronger winds, 60 mph+, cannot be ruled out either. #azwx
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 8, 2021
Thursday's monsoonal moisture and the blowing dust that comes from it will drop visibility below one mile, which could complicate the evening commute in the region, according to the service.
The surge in moisture is evident when looking at the current dew point at Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport (63 degrees), which is above the average for July in the Valley (57 degrees).
Find out what's happening in Phoenixfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Storm chances linger into the weekend, with a 20 percent chance of rain in Phoenix on Friday and Sunday, before increasing to 30 percent on Monday and Tuesday, the service's seven-day forecast predicts.
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