News Summary
Phoenix experienced severe monsoon thunderstorms, leading to travel disruptions and cancellations of local events. The Arizona State Fair closed for the day due to heavy rains, and multiple high school football games, including ASU’s against TCU, were canceled. The storms caused significant flooding and delays at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, with continued adverse weather expected over the weekend. Residents were urged to exercise caution as the area faced above-average rainfall totals.
Phoenix experienced severe monsoon thunderstorms on Friday, September 26, 2025, causing significant travel disruptions and the cancellation of various local events. The Arizona State Fair was forced to close for the day due to heavy rains, and the high school football game between ALA West Foothills and Arcadia High School was called off around 3:30 p.m. While dozens of other football games scheduled for the evening remained on the calendar, the adverse weather led to the cancellation of the 6 p.m. football game featuring Arizona State University (ASU) against TCU, although the event was still set to broadcast nationally. Notably, the Sparky’s Tailgate event was also canceled due to the inclement conditions.
Heavy rain, large hail, and lightning were reported across the Valley starting in the morning, with the National Weather Service recording 1.11 inches of rain at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport by 1:55 p.m., surpassing the total rainfall for the entire monsoon season. As of that time, the season-to-date rainfall reached 2.02 inches, with just a few days left before the official end of the season on September 30. Rainfall totals varied across different metro areas, and while Fountain Hills recorded over 2 inches, parts of the East Valley saw less than a tenth of an inch.
Throughout the day, the storm caused partial flooding on freeways, leading to significant delays at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented ground stops that affected flights both in and out of the airport. First responders were busy conducting water rescues in areas impacted by flooding, and meteorologists emphasized the risk of quickly evolving flash flooding as heavy rain continued to fall.
A flood watch remained in effect until 11 p.m. on Friday, and additional rain and storms were anticipated over the weekend. Forecasts indicated that high temperatures in Phoenix would remain below normal, hovering around 90 degrees through the weekend, which is a slight deviation from the typical weather for this time of year.
The severe weather resulted from a strong low-pressure system positioned off the Southern California coast, marking a late-season surge in monsoon activity. Large hail, ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, was reported, adding to the unforeseen nature of this weather event. By midday, many regions in Phoenix experienced over 1 inch of rain in less than an hour, a notable occurrence for the area.
As the storms passed through, preparations for continued poor weather conditions remained critical. Residents were advised to exercise caution, especially on roadways that could become hazardous due to flooding. Emergency services remained on high alert, ensuring rapid response to any incidents stemming from the severe weather. With predictions of ongoing rain and the potential for more storms into the evening, the community was encouraged to stay informed and prepared for shifting weather patterns.
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 LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of 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 from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana