Phoenix, Arizona, September 27, 2025
News Summary
Phoenix faced severe monsoon storms that caused significant travel disruptions, including the closure of the Arizona State Fair and the cancellation of local high school football games. Heavy rainfall and hail led to delays at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, while emergency services responded to multiple water rescues due to flooding. The storms were part of an unexpected weather event, with rainfall exceeding season totals. A flood watch was issued, and the weather conditions are expected to persist throughout the weekend.
Phoenix experienced severe monsoon storms on Friday, September 26, 2025, leading to significant travel disruptions and event cancellations across the area. The intense weather impacted the Arizona State Fair and local high school football games, and contributed to considerable delays at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The Arizona State Fair officially closed its doors for the day due to the heavy rainfall. In light of the closure, free admission tickets have been made available for visitors any day through October 26, during the fair’s operating hours of 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Additionally, a highly anticipated high school football game between ALA West Foothills and Arcadia High School was canceled around 3:30 p.m. while several other games scheduled for 7 p.m. were still expected to take place.
Also affected was Arizona State University’s football team, which was prepared to compete against TCU in a nationally televised event at 6 p.m. However, the popular Sparky’s Tailgate event was canceled due to the severe weather conditions.
According to reports, the storms began early in the morning, bringing heavy rain, hail, and lightning across the Valley. The National Weather Service recorded 1.11 inches of rain at Phoenix Sky Harbor by 1:55 p.m., surpassing the total rainfall accumulation for the entire monsoon season up until that point. The total season-to-date rainfall now stands at 2.02 inches, with only a few days left in the season, which concludes on September 30.
Rainfall totals varied across the metropolitan area, with some regions, such as Fountain Hills, receiving over 2 inches, while others in the East Valley saw less than a tenth of an inch. Significant hail up to 1.5 inches was also reported during the storms. Despite the flooding incidents in certain areas, there were no major damages reported.
The storm caused partial flooding on several freeways and affected flight operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, leading to significant delays. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued ground stops at both Phoenix and Las Vegas airports, exacerbating the situation. Additionally, the potential for rapidly developing flash flooding prompted meteorologists to warn residents to avoid dangerous road conditions.
By midday, many areas in Phoenix experienced more than 1 inch of rain in under one hour, making it an unexpected weather event for the region. As a result, first responders were engaged in multiple water rescues due to rising floodwaters.
A flood watch remained in effect until 11 p.m. on Friday, and forecasts indicated continued rain and storm chances through the weekend. In terms of temperature, highs in Phoenix were projected to remain below normal, around 90 degrees, as the thunderstorms continued due to a strong low-pressure system off the Southern California coast. Rain was anticipated to persist into the evening, bringing with it the possibility of more showers and storms throughout the night.
FAQ
1. What caused the severe monsoon storms in Phoenix?
The storms were attributed to a strong low-pressure system off the Southern California coast, contributing to unexpected rainy weather in the region.
2. When was the Arizona State Fair closed?
The Arizona State Fair closed on Friday, September 26, 2025, due to severe weather conditions.
3. Were there any major damages reported from the storms?
No major damages were reported, although there were incidents of flooding in various areas of Phoenix.
4. How did the storms impact local events?
The storms caused the cancellation of the Arizona State Fair for a day, a high school football game, and the Sparky’s Tailgate event for ASU’s football game against TCU.
5. How much rainfall was recorded in Phoenix during the storms?
By 1:55 p.m., Phoenix Sky Harbor reported 1.11 inches of rain, surpassing the total rainfall for the entire monsoon season leading up to that point.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Date of Event | September 26, 2025 |
| Main Weather Events | Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, lightning |
| Rainfall Recorded | 1.11 inches at Phoenix Sky Harbor by 1:55 p.m. |
| State Fair Status | Closed for the day, free admission tickets offered |
| High School Football | A game was canceled; others planned to proceed |
| Flight Delays | Significant delays at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport |
| Flood Watch | In effect until 11 p.m. on Friday |
| Temperature Forecast | Below normal, around 90 degrees through the weekend |
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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 PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like 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 drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
