National Weather Service Issues Flood Watch for Phoenix Metro Area
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for south central Arizona, including the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, effective through early Monday morning. Excessive rainfall from an incoming weather system brings the potential for flash flooding across the region.
The National Weather Service office in Phoenix, Arizona, issued the Flood Watch at 8:53 AM MST on October 31. The coverage area includes the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, rural portions of Maricopa County, Northwest Pinal County, and Southern Gila County. Specific locations encompassed by the watch range from Central Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale to Gila Bend, Buckeye, and the surrounding desert and mesa regions.
According to weather officials, a second follow-up weather system will transport increased atmospheric moisture into the region from Saturday night through Sunday. This pattern is expected to bring a prolonged period of light to moderate rainfall, with embedded convection generating localized pockets of heavier downpours. Additional rainfall totals between 1 and 2 inches are forecast to fall over several hours on already moist soil.
The anticipated runoff from excessive rain may lead to flash flooding in rivers, creeks, streams, and low-lying or flood-prone areas. Low-water crossings throughout the affected region are also at risk of flooding. The watch remains in effect until November 2 at 5:00 AM MST.