PHOENIX (AP) - A 70-day streak without any precipitation in the Phoenix area finally came to an end Saturday.
A gray sky, showers and even some hail greeted residents of Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs.
A storm system originally expected to bring rain by Friday evening started just after midnight, the National Weather Service said.
Charlotte Dewey, a meteorologist, said there had been a few reports of “pea-sized hail” northwest of Phoenix in the cities of Deer Valley, Peoria and Sun City West.
As much as an inch of rain was reported in areas northwest and north of central Phoenix, including in the White Tank mountains and Deer Valley. Tempe and the north Scottsdale area have received anywhere from 0.8 to one inch of rain.
Valerie Meyers, also a meteorologist, said there was also a chance of isolated thunderstorms and wind gusts between 30 and 35 mph for the rest of the day. But the storm system would taper off by Sunday, she said.
“By tomorrow afternoon, we’re looking at a pretty nice day for the lower desert,” Meyers said.
