Are Severe Thunderstorms like this normal ----even for monsoon season

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by borborygmi

And you can't ski on dirt, either.

Personally, I know I'd rather have that option than have to throw my life in the can for 6 months due to excessive heat. But then again, I'm a winter sports aficionado, and I don't really understand those who aren't - you don't know what you're missing, IMO.

That's why Phoenix is in such a great location, skiing in every direction, north, south, east. In the summer one can escape the heat by taking a short drive. The Sierra Estrella Range south of Phoenix have trails that take you high above the Valley floor where temps can be 25-35 degrees cooler than Phoenix. The Sierra Estrella Range is 16 miles SW of Phoenix. There are ranges, like the Superstitions and nearby 4 Peaks that are a 40 minute drive or less with the same cooling effect. Its really not that hard to "escape" the heat.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by 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.

I've experienced worse in Glendale then I have in Gilbert and I'm scared to death of any thunderstorm. So far this year over in the San Tan Village area it's not been bad at all.

The Awhatukee area and the Fountain Hills area seems to get blasted alot as well.

[Ponderosa]

It was kind of unusual this year with downtown, Tempe, central PHX getting so much rain compared to other places. I guess they were due.