Rain is likely Tuesday into Wednesday in the Phoenix area and major snowfall is coming for the high country as the atmospheric river that has inundated California arrives in Arizona.
Meteorologist Sean Benedict with the National Weather Service says at least a half-inch of rain is expected, with increased amounts northeast into the Foothills. Flood watches will be in effect by the afternoon.
“We did have quite a bit of rain last week, so the grounds are a little bit more saturated than normal, so a lot of the rain that is falling isn’t going to really seep into the ground as much," Benedict said.
There is also a chance for heavier rain in the Valley with thunderstorms. Rain chances are expected to linger throughout the rest of the week here in the Phoenix area, and more than a foot of snow should fall in the high country.
Inclement weather as Phoenix Open begins
Despite the uncharacteristically gloomy, gray weather, the WM Phoenix Open kicked off Tuesday with charity events and a practice round for the PGA Tour pros.
As part of Ford Free Days, an Arizona Ford Dealers promotion, fans could access TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course free of charge to watch their favorite golfers strike practice shots ahead of Thursday’s opening round of the four-day tournament.
But talk of the inclement weather that may put a damper on the rest of the week dominated conversation. Rain showers are expected every day this week in the Valley, but PGA Tour officials are prepared. Every Tour event has an on-site meteorologist, and this week Kyle Koval is at the TPC Scottsdale to help predict the weather.
Koval was optimistic that the event might miss the worst of the weather, especially later in the week.
“I wouldn’t say it’s doom and gloom by any means,” Koval said. “Our highest chance of rain would be (Tuesday night). I think as we get later in the week into the weekend, we can start to dry out but also cool down. So frost could develop by Saturday into Sunday.”
As of now, monitoring lightning is the main concern for the safety of the fans, golfers and caddies.
Metro Phoenix forecast from National Weather Service
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 62. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday night: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south southeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: A 40% chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday night: A 20% chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming east in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Friday: A 30% chance of showers, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.
Friday night: A 50% chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind 5 to 10 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday: A 30% chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 61. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.
Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 64. East northeast wind around 5 mph.
