Overview
- Early-morning thunderstorms moved through the Valley on Tuesday, producing frequent lightning and localized rain with some gauges recording up to about 0.4 inches.
- Lightning is being investigated as a possible cause of multiple small fires, including a house fire near Central Avenue and Camelback Road where one resident escaped and crews continue their probe.
- Storm-related power outages affected several thousand APS and SRP customers at the peak and utility crews restored most service by mid-morning.
- The FAA issued a temporary ground stop at Phoenix Sky Harbor, causing more than 100 flight delays and a few cancellations before departures resumed once conditions improved.
- The brief cooling from the storms proved short-lived and the National Weather Service and local forecasters have extended extreme heat warnings with highs expected to reach potentially record-tying levels later this week, creating heightened risk for heat-related illness and strain on infrastructure.