Storm near Phoenix
Monday, August 16, 2021
- Largest hail
- —none reported
- Strongest wind
- 76 mphgust
- Tornadoes
- 0none reported
- Reports
- 9within 15 mi
9 reports
- 58 mph gust (estimated)9.9 mi ENE of central Phoenix2.5 mi NNW of Scottsdale · Maricopa County · Broadcast Media
Helicopter footage from a local TV station showed a large uprooted tree down on a home near Scottsdale Road and Chaparral Road. Footage also showed another large tree down at a nearby apartment complex, resulting in damage to the pool area and to one of the apartment buildings. Approximately 1 mile to the northeast, a large tree 2 feet in diameter was reported to have snapped in half along 82nd Street across from Saguaro High School. No injuries were reported. Timing was estimated using radar.
- 69 mph gust (measured)3.4 mi ESE of central Phoenix(Phx)Sky Harbor Arpt · Maricopa County · ASOS
The Phoenix Sky Harbor ASOS recorded a 69 mph gust.
- 68 mph gust (measured)9.6 mi ESE of central Phoenix0.7 mi N of Helena · Maricopa County · Trained Spotter
A 68 mph gust was recorded by a trained weather spotter using a handheld anemometer near Baseline Road and Rural Road.
- 64 mph gust (estimated)8.1 mi WSW of central Phoenix2.1 mi SSW of Fowler · Maricopa County · Public
Photos on social media showed a large tree down on power lines near Lower Buckeye Road between 67th Avenue and 75th Avenue. Timing of 60-65 mph winds was estimated using radar. No injuries were reported.
- 58 mph gust (estimated)6.0 mi ENE of central Phoenix2.4 mi WNW of Papago Aaf Arpt · Maricopa County · Broadcast Media
Photos on social media showed downed power poles near 44th Street and Indian School Road. Additional photos showed a couple of snapped palm trees down in the same area causing severe damage to a vehicle as well as to the the gate of a driveway. No injuries were reported.
- 76 mph gust (measured)8.1 mi S of central Phoenix5.9 mi WSW of Guadalupe · Maricopa County · Mesonet
A weather station located at the Gila River Valley Lookout on South Mountain measured a 75.6 mph gust.
3 more reports
- 58 mph gust (estimated)6.4 mi N of central Phoenix2.8 mi SSW of Sunnyslope · Maricopa County · Broadcast Media
A photo on social media showed a large uprooted tree down on some power lines near 15th Avenue and Glendale Avenue. No injuries were reported.
- 58 mph gust (estimated)7.2 mi N of central Phoenix2.0 mi S of Cactus · Maricopa County · Public
A social media photo showed a large uprooted tree down on a carport at an apartment complex. No injuries or damaged cars were reported. Timing was estimated using radar.
- 58 mph gust (estimated)9.9 mi NNW of central Phoenix3.1 mi W of Sunnyslope · Maricopa County · Public
Photos on social media showed a large tree approximately 40-50 feet tall snapped in half near 35th Avenue and Peoria Avenue. No injuries were reported.
Also hit that day: Glendale, AZ, Peoria, AZ
What the National Weather Service wrote
A shortwave trough rotating through the region led to steepening lapse rates and increasingly unstable conditions across central Arizona on the 16th. With abundant moisture and high CAPE values in place, the environment was favorable for the development of strong to severe thunderstorms. Thunderstorms initially developed over the high terrain of eastern Arizona before racing toward the west/southwest into the lower deserts of south-central Arizona as a line of strong to severe thunderstorms. The main impacts associated with these thunderstorms occurred as they moved into the Phoenix metro, producing widespread damaging wind gusts. Multiple observations recorded wind gusts in excess of 60 mph with a few approaching 80 mph. Recently implemented damage threat categories for Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were put to the test with one destructive Severe Thunderstorm Warning being issued for 80 mph wind gusts for much of Phoenix. There were numerous reports of downed trees across the Valley as a result of the severe wind gusts. The strong winds also led to several reports of dense blowing dust in dust prone areas. Additionally, thunderstorms produced locally heavy rainfall that led to several instances of flash flooding. No injuries were reported.