Storm near Phoenix
Sunday, September 11, 2022
- Largest hail
- —none reported
- Strongest wind
- 86 mphgust
- Tornadoes
- 0none reported
- Reports
- 2within 15 mi
2 reports
- 86 mph gust (measured)3.8 mi ESE of central Phoenix0.4 mi ESE of (Phx)Sky Harbor Arpt · Maricopa County · ASOS
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport ASOS measured a wind gust of 86 mph. This wind gust speed was investigated further as it was considered suspect, however NWS meteorologists determined there was not enough evidence to disprove this measurement. Centerfield winds, a 30 meter wind sensor located just over half a mile north of the ASOS, measured a 76 mph wind gust around the same time as the ASOS. The City of Phoenix Aviation Department shared a report with images that mentioned/showed more than a dozen downed trees, damage to some fencing, cargo containers that were damaged after nearly being blown into a building, at least one downed light pole, and a baggage cart that was blown into and damaged a blast fence. There was also damage to the 24th Street Sky Train station with some broken glass windows at one of the entrances and a small section of outer side paneling that was peeled off. Sky Harbor Airport was in a Ground Stop from 2125MST to 2154MST. No injuries were reported.
- 70 mph gust (estimated)4.5 mi NNE of central Phoenix2.4 mi NNE of Phoenix · Maricopa County · Public
Social media picture showed large tree uprooted against a 3 three story apartment complex in the area of North 16th street and Camelback Road. Winds were estimated at around 70 mph. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.
What the National Weather Service wrote
The remnant mid-level circulation of what was Tropical Cyclone Kay was located over southern California. This led to southerly flow across Arizona, which helped increased moisture and instability with moisture values peaking at around 1.5 and MLCAPE values peaking at around 1000 J/KG. Strong to severe thunderstorms developed across southeast Arizona, near the Tucson area, during the late afternoon hours of the 11th and then progressed northward towards the Phoenix metro during the evening hours, resulting in widespread severe downburst winds and blowing dust as well as isolated flash flooding. The Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport reported a peak wind gust of 86 mph at 2053 MST. Additional storms then developed across western Maricopa County, extending into La Paz County, during the early morning hours of the 12th with heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding become the biggest threat.