The Metro Phoenix weather thread! (Mesa, Glendale: work, moving, flooding)

[CodyW]

Heres a bit of an interesting subject.. Now that the weather's changing again.

It seems like, here in Glendale, all good weather misses us completely. The storms go right on past. And it seems that way for the rest of the west valley, too. But, oddly, the east valley ALWAYS seems to get hit. When a storm rolls around, they get rain, and we don't.

Does it seem that way to anybody else? Or, the opposite? I've read some posts lately about 'Gilbert never getting any rain' and how 'it all ends up on the west side.'

[sablebaby]

When I lived in north phoenix and scottsdale, I always saw on the news that the West side getting hammered with rain and some flooding. But now that I'm on the west side I haven't seen anything going on, at least not in the last year. A couple of years ago when I lived in Peoria we had a bad couple for storms during monsoon, but not as bad as I thought it would be.

[AksarbeN]

I agree with CodyW that most of the bad weather comes in from the southeast and nails that area of the valley first. By the time it gets into the main part of Phoenix it’s blown itself out, very little wind or rain left in it. However we do get fooled once in a while. But the main storm hits are always Apache Jct., Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler etc.

I'm looking for rain this weekend and it's only 20%

[CodyW]

I remember winter 2004 was really bad (or good, depending on how you view it.) on the west side. They were worried about the brides over New River. The only time I've actually seen it over halfway full. Too bad it wasn't the same for the Aqua Fria.

That was a good year. XD

[Ponderosa]

Storms drift off the Mogollon Rim NE of the valley and from the SE moving around a steering high pressure area called the "Four Corners High". This high rambles about a bit and so the storms vary in trajectory. Another significant factor are "easterly waves" which move across Texas and Mexico into SE AZ. These tend to bring the weather to the SE valley the most. NW valley gets hit when the high drifts west over N. AZ/Nevada with a more southerly component. Storms come off the Bradshaw Mtns into Wickenburg and points nearby. So, on average, the best monsoons are in the NE and the SE. The SW (Estrella Mtn Ranch for example) rarely gets a good storm, though they do occur in all parts of the state.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by AksarbeN

I agree with CodyW that most of the bad weather comes in from the southeast and nails that area of the valley first. By the time it gets into the main part of Phoenix it’s blown itself out, very little wind or rain left in it. However we do get fooled once in a while. But the main storm hits are always Apache Jct., Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler etc.

I'm looking for rain this weekend and it's only 20%

NOT TRUE! I have lived in the SE Gilbert and E Mesa since 1999 the main storms hit Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. AJ and Queen Creek. I am the biggest strorm freak ever and I can tell you my area has had nothing in all the years I have lived in the SE Valley. I would have moved, I'm petrified of monsoons.

I can tell you stories about when I lived in Glendale.

[irwin]

Well, one thing I can say about the weather is TODAY IT WAS HOT!!!
It's hot outside right now!

[Cj81]

Well, one thing I can say about the weather is TODAY IT WAS HOT!!!
It's hot outside right now!

Dude, it was about 93 today and you are crying about it!?!?!? Where are you moving again ?, Oh yeah Boston, where the high is 55 and it rains almost every day! Good luck with that!

[irwin]

Originally Posted by Cj81

Dude, it was about 93 today and you are crying about it!?!?!? Where are you moving again ?, Oh yeah Boston, where the high is 55 and it rains almost every day! Good luck with that!

It's almost midnight and it's in the 80's. That is hot. I am going to bed and the AC is cranking.

A high of 55 doesn't sound too bad when you wear a suit to work everyday.

[nevercoldcall]

You'll get used to it, it isn't unbearable until July when the monsoon humidity rolls in. I used to live in Las Vegas where 110 was bone-dry and pleasant, but in Phoenix the moisture makes it unbearable.