Are Severe Thunderstorms like this normal ----even for monsoon season (Phoenix: apartment complex, travel)

[NytoPhx]

This is one violent storm going on right now. I heard there were some pretty powerful storms here, but never imagined they would be like this. This one seems like it could be close to a category I hurricane. After this storm, it would have rained here in the Phoenix metro area about 4 inches since the beginning of July, nearly half a typical year's total. Has this season just been more active and these monsoons more powerful than normal, or is this the norm?

[HX_Guy]

Send some over our way out in NW Phoenix!

We are getting absolutely nothing right now, and we got absolutely nothing a couple nights ago when the central parts got over 1/2" of rain.

But to answer your question...yes, they are pretty common during a normal monsoon season. Last year was an abnormal year where we got very little activity, but I remember summers being very violent and windy. I just read that wind gusts are reaching 60 MPH in some areas tonight which is definitely pretty high.

[NytoPhx]

The amazing thing is I literally watched the temperature on my porch plummet from 104 to 75 in a matter of minutes...incredible. I felt very chilly outside, and could not believe it was 75. It felt more like it was about 60. I guess I'm getting acclimated pretty well to the heat here, and now anything below 80 I start to feel chilly.

[HX_Guy]

Yep, that's one of the amazing things about the summer monsoons...the temps can drop 30 degrees in a matter of minutes. Pretty awesome, no?

Check out the radar maps here...looks pretty crazy out there...

Local Interactive Weather Map for Glendale, AZ (85310) - weather.com

Also here are rainfall totals for the Phoenix area in the last 24 hours. Look at the Scottsdale/Tempe border...closer to 1" of rain already.

FCD: Metro Phoenix Raingauge Map

[NytoPhx]

I'm in west-central Tempe, and since I've been here, it seems like Tempe always gets the hardest hit. We're the second highest total on that map. It seems like a lot of these storms come from the south east, make it over downtown Phoenix, and sort of sizzle out a bit by the time they reach the northwest/west valley.

[Rubee]

I'm in the NW Valley and this wind is blowing so hard (9 pm), a big gust just moved our big heavy gas grill on the back patio about two feet. You can see the wind and dust blowing around the street lights - it looks like a dust storm. Exciting, and a bit scary at the same time. No rain yet - just lightning and wind.

[azcater]

HX, I think it's headed your way right now.. we just got pummeled in Gilbert.

[NytoPhx]

Originally Posted by Rubee

I'm in NW Valley and this wind is blowing so hard (9 pm), a big gust just moved our big heavy gas grill on the back patio about two feet. You can see the wind and dust blowing around the street lights - it looks like a dust storm. Exciting, and a bit scary at the same time. No rain yet - just lightning and wind.

Get ready, this one is pretty bad, if you experience anything like what's going on here. My apartment complex is already under significant water in maybe 30 minutes or so of rain.

[HX_Guy]

Oh yea! Looking at the radar map, it looks like its headed straight this way and it doesn't appear to be letting up at all. Bring it!

[YAZ]

We're right in the middle of it, decided to stay off the patio until it blows over.