Storm near Phoenix
Friday, August 13, 2021
- Largest hail
- —none reported
- Strongest wind
- 64 mphgust
- Tornadoes
- 0none reported
- Reports
- 6within 15 mi
6 reports
- 55 mph gust (estimated)13.3 mi N of central Phoenix1.3 mi WNW of Phoenix Turf Arpt · Maricopa County · Public
A photo on social media shows a metal patio awning blew down in strong winds near 19th Avenue and Bell Road. Winds estimated around 50 to 55 mph and timing based on radar. No injuries were reported.
- 60 mph gust (estimated)11.5 mi N of central Phoenix1.7 mi SW of Phoenix Turf Arpt · Maricopa County · Broadcast Media
Multiple large trees were blown over due to strong winds at Latitude Apartment Complex near 19th Avenue and Thunderbird Road. One tree fell on a second story unit, causing unknown damage. Another couple fell on portions of carports that caused the carports to collapse and damage an unknown number of cars that were parked underneath. A separate carport also experienced damage. Winds were estimated up to 55 to 65 mph based on radar and timing was based on radar as well. No injuries were reported.
- 64 mph gust (estimated)11.6 mi NNW of central Phoenix3.0 mi WSW of Phoenix Turf Arpt · Maricopa County · Public
Roof partially torn off in strong winds near Interstate-17 and Thunderbird Road. Winds estimated around 55 to 65 mph. Timing based on radar. No injuries reported.
- 60 mph gust (estimated)9.8 mi WSW of central Phoenix3.4 mi SSE of Tolleson · Maricopa County · Public
Public report, confirmed by police, that a road was blocked by downed power lines at 83rd Avenue and Broadway Road. Winds estimated around 55-65 mph and timing estimated from radar. No injuries reported.
- 61 mph gust (measured)4.8 mi WSW of central Phoenix1.1 mi E of Gomez Arpt · Maricopa County · Mesonet
The SRP32 mesonet station near 43rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road measured a 61 mph wind gust. A microburst signature was observed on radar in this area. The Phoenix terminal doppler weather radar TPHX, near 51st Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, took a direct hit and stopped transmitting after its 1039MST scan. There were no damages to TPHX reported and it was restored by 1000MST on the 14th.
- 60 mph gust (estimated)2.8 mi WSW of central Phoenix3.0 mi E of Phoenix Farm Aero Ar · Maricopa County · Utility Company
Photos from APS utility company on social media show several downed or snapped wooden and metal power poles along 27th Avenue just north of Durango Street. A microburst signature was evident on radar in this area. Winds were estimated around 60-65 mph based on a 61 mph measured gust a few blocks away. No injuries were reported.
Also hit that day: Glendale, AZ, Peoria, AZ
What the National Weather Service wrote
A classic bow echo developed along the Mogollon Rim in central Arizona around 1900MST on the 13th and merged with thunderstorm clusters that developed in south-central Arizona around 2030MST to form one southwestward-moving MCS that progressed all the way to the town of Yuma in far southwest Arizona by 0230MST on the 14th. The MCS produced widespread strong winds with localized damaging winds from individual microbursts across the region. The strong winds also generated dense blowing dust in southwest Arizona. In addition to the wind, storms were producing average rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour with briefly higher rates in the strongest cells. This led to flash flooding in multiple areas. The town of Gila Bend suffered catastrophic flash flooding after 2 to 4 inches of rain fell over a large portion of the basin containing Sand Tank and Bender Washes, which flow into Gila Bend. A breach of the canal in town due to erosion added to the flash flooding. Significant flow through the washes impacted numerous homes and businesses and there were 2 fatalities. A state of emergency was declared for this event.