Powerful Monsoon Storms Sweep Phoenix Metro With 68 MPH Winds, Dust and Tree Damage

Severe thunderstorms brought damaging winds, lightning, heavy rain and dangerous blowing dust across Phoenix and surrounding communities Wednesday night

By Arizona Asians Staff

PHOENIX — August 19, 2026, 10:35 p.m. MST : Powerful monsoon thunderstorms swept across the Phoenix metropolitan area Wednesday night, producing damaging winds, frequent lightning, heavy rain and blowing dust that sharply reduced visibility. The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for portions of Maricopa and Pinal counties shortly before 10 p.m. after radar detected an outflow boundary near downtown Scottsdale and Paradise Valley moving northwest at approximately 40 mph. The warning covered Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Tempe, Peoria, Surprise, Avondale, Goodyear, Apache Junction, El Mirage, Fountain Hills and Paradise Valley.

Wind Gust Reaches 68 MPH at Sky Harbor

At 9:58 p.m., an automated weather station at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport recorded a maximum wind gust of 68 mph, according to a preliminary National Weather Service storm report. Winds of that strength can break tree limbs, damage roofs and siding, scatter outdoor furniture and create hazardous driving conditions.

A photograph submitted to Arizona Asians from the Phoenix metropolitan area showed a large tree branch broken during the storm. Wet streets, strong winds and continuing lightning were also reported in parts of the Valley.

Dust Storm Alert Warned of Near-Zero Visibility

Residents in parts of the Valley received an emergency Dust Storm Warning on their mobile phones advising them to prepare for visibility to suddenly fall to near zero.

The alert instructed motorists caught in dense dust to pull completely off the roadway, place the vehicle in park, turn off all lights and keep their foot off the brake.

The National Weather Service allowed the Maricopa and Pinal county dust advisory to expire at 10:15 p.m. after the main area of blowing dust weakened and moved out of the warned area. However, forecasters cautioned that remaining blowing dust could continue to make travel difficult.

Severe Warning Expires, but Gusty Winds Continue

The Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Maricopa and Pinal counties expired at 10:30 p.m. after the storm weakened below severe limits. The National Weather Service said gusty winds could still accompany the remaining thunderstorms. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remained in effect for south-central and southeastern Arizona until 11 p.m. Residents were advised to remain indoors and avoid windows while storms continued. Anyone who can hear thunder is close enough to be struck by lightning and should move inside immediately.

Flash-Flood Threat in Pinal County

A Flash Flood Warning remained in effect for part of Pinal County, including the Florence area, until 12:30 a.m. Thursday. Radar and automated gauges indicated that between one and 1.5 inches of rain had fallen in the warned area, with an additional half-inch to one inch possible. The National Weather Service warned of potentially life-threatening flooding in streets, underpasses, washes, creeks and other low-lying areas. Drivers should never attempt to cross a flooded roadway. Water can be deeper and faster-moving than it appears, particularly after dark.

Safety Reminders

Residents should take the following precautions while storms and cleanup operations continue:

• Stay inside and away from windows during strong winds and lightning.

• Do not approach fallen trees or branches that may be touching electrical lines.

• Treat every downed power line as energized and dangerous.

• Secure outdoor furniture and other objects that could become airborne.

• Avoid driving through dust, flooded roads or debris-covered streets.

• If caught in dense dust, pull completely off the road, turn off the vehicle’s lights and keep your foot off the brake.

• Report downed power lines, blocked roads and immediate hazards to local emergency authorities.

• Check official National Weather Service and local government alerts before traveling.

Additional damage reports may emerge after daylight allows residents and public-safety crews to inspect affected neighborhoods.