Phoenix Ground Stop Follows 12th Halloween Rain Event Since 1890
Flood watches and saturated ground persist as a rare storm system dumps heavy rain on the Valley, delaying flights and closing roads.
By Alexander Novak ·
A ground stop for arriving flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport began just before 9 a.m. on Sunday. The pause in operations followed a rare Halloween storm that drenched the Valley over the weekend, leaving ground conditions saturated and roadways flooded.
Meteorologists confirmed that rain fell on Halloween in Phoenix for only the 12th time since record-keeping began in 1890. Precipitation accumulated rapidly across both the East and West Valley on Friday and Saturday. Rain continued to fall through Sunday morning, with the National Weather Service warning that one or two additional inches are possible before the system exits.
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for the greater Phoenix area, which remains in effect until Monday morning. The agency noted that flooded areas exist all across the valley. The Arizona Department of Transportation urged drivers to avoid traveling through standing water. While the watch expires Monday morning, runoff along washes could lead to a few road closures in the area.
Temperatures will drop sharply once the rain stops. Starting Monday afternoon, conditions will turn dry, and daily highs will fall well below the seasonal average of 83 degrees. Residents can expect temperatures in the 70s through Friday, marking a cool start to the work week.
The storm brought a mix of disruptions and relief for a region accustomed to dry weather. The airport delay marked the most immediate impact of the saturated ground, while the flood watch signaled continued risk for drivers navigating the valley's washes and low-lying roads.
Source: KTVK
