In brief
Phoenix was pummeled by a rare hailstorm this week, sending golf‑ball‑sized ice pellets into the city’s streets and windows. Residents were forced to duck into the safety of their cars as the downpour turned a plain evening into a blizzard. The National Weather Service issued tornado watches in several counties while the storm moved across the state. Damage to windows and roofs is already reported, and emergency crews are keeping an eye on the declining hail. Experts warn that escalating winter storms could become more frequent as climate patterns shift.
On Tuesday night, Phoenix was rattled by an unexpected hailstorm that sent golf‑ball‑sized ice pellets rattle‑down the streets of the city’s suburbs. Residents clinging to the inside of their cars watched the hail strike windows, sending glass flakes across the façade of the vehicles.
Drizzles of rain turned to slick sheets of water that froze into ice, splashing the city’s main avenues. Shoppers at Market Street reported wind-driven peppering of hail that made it impossible to step outside unguarded.
The National Weather Service issued tornado watches across several counties, including Maricopa and Pinal, as the powerful front moved. Local news reporters noted that this type of storm is “uncommon in the high desert climate that characterizes Phoenix.”
Damage reports are mounting: cracked windshields, broken picture‑frame glass, and shuddered roofs with several fallen shingles. The Phoenix Fire & Rescue Department is on the ground, inspecting the city’s biggest commercial buildings for structural integrity.
Experts warn that the increasing frequency of winter storms in the Southwestern United States is tied to shifting climate patterns. Meteorologists predict that, should the trend continue, Phoenix could see a repeat of this type of hail in the coming months.
If you’re in an area that’s forecasted to hit hard, tune into local stations for updates, keep your windows secured, and stay indoors until the threat passes. For real‑time alerts, subscribe to the National Weather Service’s free push‑notification service.
