\nWe have received numerous reports of pea-sized hail across the Phoenix Metro area and around south-central AZ this afternoon. This is due to cold air aloft which is pushing into the region, causing freezing levels to fall to around 5000 feet. pic.twitter.com\/OIhYzEaOaK<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) January 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The storm activity is expected to continue until about 5 p.m. and feature short, heavy downpours, possible lightning, small hail and winds that could reach 30-35 mph, the NWS said.<\/p>\n
This comes a day after parts of the Valley received light rainfall, mostly under 0.10 inches. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which the NWS uses for the city\u2019s official readings, received 0.04 inches<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nJust got done little hail around FLW\/101 in Scottsdale pic.twitter.com\/o47GpXPdC6<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Brad (@Brad__AZ) January 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Why does Phoenix forecast include lightning, high winds, hail?<\/p>\n
NWS meteorologist Gabriel Lojero told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday morning that the atmosphere has become more unstable since Wednesday, increasing the chance for lightning strikes and wind gusts up to 35 mph.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then we may also be seeing some pea-sized hail, as well, given that the storm system that\u2019s coming through is going to be much colder than the one we saw yesterday,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\nHere is a general timing of showers and isolated storms expected later today. For the Phoenix metro, the threat will be 1-5 PM MST, lingering across the areas south and east of Phoenix through early this evening. #azwx<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/540zYVY8QI<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) January 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The good news is that the skies over the Valley should be mostly clear by Thursday evening, when the Fiesta Bowl is taking place<\/a> at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not the same magnitude of impacts we see during a thunderstorm during the monsoon season, but still, if you\u2019re driving around or going out and about outdoors, just make sure to be weather aware,\u201d Lojero said.<\/p>\n
How cold will it get in the Valley?<\/p>\n
The storm system will leave the coldest temperatures of the season in its wake, prompting freeze watches for higher terrain areas on the outskirts of metro Phoenix over the next two mornings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe may be seeing lows in the lower 30s,\u201d Lojero said.<\/p>\n
However, a warming trend over the weekend is expected to lift temperatures back above normal by Sunday, when the Phoenix forecast calls for a high of around 70 degrees.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the high country in northern Arizona is expected to receive snowfall<\/a> for the second consecutive day on Thursday, with accumulations possible down to 5,000 feet of elevation.<\/p>\n
Those winter storms and some related crashes caused several highways to close in northern Arizona on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
KTAR News 92.3 FM\u2019s Ginia McFarland and Jeff Vinton contributed to this report.<\/p>\n
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