Storm near Peoria
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
- Largest hail
- —none reported
- Strongest wind
- 60 mphgust
- Tornadoes
- 0none reported
- Reports
- 1within 10 mi
1 report
- 60 mph gust (estimated)9.8 mi SW of central Peoria1.1 mi SSE of Litchfield Park · Maricopa County · Broadcast Media
Several large trees estimated to be up to 1 foot in diameter were uprooted in the area of West Indian School Road and North Litchfield Road in Goodyear. Wind gusts were estimated at approximately 60 mph. No injuries were reported.
Also hit that day: Phoenix, AZ
What the National Weather Service wrote
The synoptic pattern was characterized by strong westerly flow aloft situated across most of the Desert Southwest with embedded shortwave energy providing the main source for rising motion. Above normal moisture was present with PWATs in excess of 1.5 across most of central and southwestern AZ. The available moisture in combination with the daytime heating led to the development of moderate instability with MLCAPE in excess of 1000 J/KG. The strong westerly flow aloft led to strong vertical shear with 0-6 KM shear values ranging between 30-40 knots. All of these factors led to a very favorable environment for the development of strong to severe thunderstorms across portions of south-central AZ. Scattered thunderstorms started to develop by the early afternoon hours of the 12th with multiple rounds continuing into the evening hours. One severe thunderstorm in particular developed near the Buckeye area, became supercellular, and tracked generally eastward affecting areas such as Goodyear, Glendale, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Apache Junction, causing extensive straight-line wind damage along its path. Additional thunderstorms developed just east of the Phoenix metro area during the overnight and early morning hours of the 13th, with the main impact being isolated flash flooding.