News Summary
Severe monsoon thunderstorms swept through Phoenix, leading to event cancellations, transportation delays, and flooding across the city. Notable events like the Arizona State Fair were closed for safety, and multiple high school football games were affected. Heavy rainfall caused major highways to partially flood, resulting in hazardous driving conditions. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch and residents were advised to stay alert as additional storms were forecasted. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, ensuring safety amid ongoing severe weather.
Severe Monsoon Storms Disrupt Transportation and Events in Phoenix on Friday
Phoenix, Arizona—Severe monsoon thunderstorms swept through the Phoenix area on Friday, September 26, 2025, causing widespread travel delays, event cancellations, and flooding across parts of the city. The intense weather, marked by heavy rain, hail, and lightning, significantly impacted daily activities and transportation systems in the region.
Major Events and Closures Affected
The Arizona State Fair was closed for the entire day due to the heavy monsoon rain, with organizers offering free admission tickets to any day through October 26, redeemable from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. This decision was made to prioritize safety amid ongoing storm activity. Additionally, a high school football game scheduled between ALA West Foothills and Arcadia High School was canceled around 3:30 p.m., citing unsafe weather conditions.
While the game involving ALA West Foothills was called off, dozens of other high school football games planned for 7 p.m. proceeded as scheduled without reported issues. However, the weather influenced affiliated events, including the football team’s appearance on national television at 6 p.m., where Arizona State University’s athletic department canceled the Sparky’s Tailgate event in response to storm warnings.
Weather Conditions and Impact on Transportation
Starting early in the morning, residents reported heavy rainfall, along with reports of hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter and frequent lightning strikes across the Phoenix metropolitan area. The National Weather Service (NWS) measured 1.11 inches of rain at Sky Harbor International Airport by 1:55 p.m., an amount surpassing the total rainfall typically recorded during the entire monsoon season. To date, the season has accumulated 2.02 inches of rain, leaving only a few days before the official end of the monsoon season on September 30.
Rainfall distribution across the metro area varied considerably, with locations such as Fountain Hills receiving over 2 inches while parts of the East Valley saw less than a tenth of an inch. The heavy downpour caused partial flooding on major highways and local streets, leading to dangerous driving conditions and multiple water rescues conducted by first responders.
At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, flights experienced significant delays due to the storm. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued ground stops at both Phoenix and Las Vegas airports, further contributing to congested travel and delays for travelers. No major property damages or infrastructure failures have been reported thus far, though authorities remain cautious about ongoing weather risks.
Flooding and Safety Advisories
The NWS issued a flood watch that was in effect through 11 p.m. Friday, warning residents to remain vigilant, especially as additional storms were anticipated over the weekend. Meteorologists cautioned the public about the potential for rapidly evolving flash floods, emphasizing the importance of avoiding flooded roads and staying indoors during the storm activity.
Throughout the day, emergency services responded to multiple water rescues across the metro area, responding to vehicles and individuals trapped by rising floodwaters. Although no severe damages or injuries have been officially reported, officials continue to monitor the situation and advise caution during continued storm activity.
Upcoming Weather and Forecast
Forecasts suggest that rain and thunderstorms will persist into the evening and overnight hours across Phoenix and surrounding areas. Rainfall amounts are expected to taper but could still produce additional showers along with the risk of flash flooding. Temperatures are forecasted to remain below normal, settling around 90 degrees Fahrenheit through the weekend, providing some relief from the intense heat typical of late summer in the region.
The weather pattern is driven by a strong low-pressure system positioned off the Southern California coast, fueling the late-season monsoon activity. Weather experts warn residents to stay alert for rapidly changing conditions and to follow safety recommendations to avoid accidents and injuries during this period of heavy storms.
Overall, Phoenix experienced significant weather-related disruptions on Friday, with ongoing authorities monitoring the situation and advising caution as the monsoon storms continue into the weekend.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Arizona Central: Rain Chances Increase in Phoenix
- AZ Family: Friday Night Events Impacted by Monsoon Storm
- Fox Weather: Arizona and Nevada Weather Alert
- Fox 10 Phoenix: Arizona Weather Forecast
- KTAR: Thunderstorms and Flooding in Phoenix
- Wikipedia: Monsoon
- Google Search: Phoenix Weather
- Google Scholar: Phoenix Flooding September 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flash Flood
- Google News: Phoenix Monsoon Storm
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
