A low pressure system moving across the Desert Southwest resulted in shower and thunderstorm activity across most of south-central AZ during the afternoon hours on the 7th. A landspout was generated from a thunderstorm cell moving just south of Casa Grande, AZ.
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS PSR wrote it up.
A low pressure system moving across the Desert Southwest resulted in shower and thunderstorm activity across most of south-central AZ during the afternoon hours on the 7th. A landspout was generated from a thunderstorm cell moving just south of Casa Grande, AZ. The landspout developed over an open field area near the Casa Grande Mountains with no damages nor injuries reported. Landspout lasted for about 8 minutes.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Phoenix, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 7, 2:29 PM MST, 10 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 229 PM MST Thu Mar 7 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Showers and thunderstorms will continue the rest of this afternoon across south-central Arizona as a low pressure system moves eastward through the Desert Southwest. The primary threats associated with any stronger thunderstorms will be small hail along with locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Cooler conditions and below normal temperatures are also anticipated. In the wake of this system, high pressure will build across the region through the weekend resulting in a warming trend through early next week. && .DISCUSSION... An active afternoon is underway across portions of south-central Arizona as showers and thunderstorms have developed in response to a low pressure system moving through the region. Current RAP analysis shows the cold core of this system is now moving across central portions of Arizona, leading to better mid-level lapse and instability. The forced ascent associated with this system and CAPE values upwards of 300-500 J/kg have led to more expansive convective development this afternoon across parts of Maricopa and Pinal Counties. Thus far, some of the stronger thunderstorms that have developed late morning and early this afternoon have led to some small hail (~pea size) with some areas seeing some accumulating hail. In addition to lightning, accumulating small hail, along with locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds, will continue to be the primary weather impacts with any additional strong thunderstorms this afternoon. Locally heavy rainfall totals have already been observed in areas that have ended up under strong thunderstorms. Based on the latest FCDMC obs, the highest rainfall amounts thus far have been upwards of 0.75-1.00" in the Phoenix as a result of strong thunderstorms passing through the area. Minor nuisance flooding may occur in areas that experience these thunderstorms, but the threat for any flash flooding will remain low. Areas that don't end up under a thunderstorm should generally see light rainfall amounts with most areas that have seen shower activity thus far seeing observed amounts under 0.25". Phoenix Sky Harbor has picked up 0.15" so far today. The latest CAMs show this activity winding down heading into this evening as the cold core continues in its eastward progression. This lines up well with the latest NBM PoPs, which quickly drop below 20% going through the evening. && .PREVIOUS DISCUSSION... Fast on the heels of today’s system will be another short-wave trough that will dive southward into southern California this evening. With the lingering low-level moisture, the threat of isolated showers will continue overnight, particularly across the lower deserts of southeastern California and southwestern Arizona. One final trough will move into northwestern Arizona Friday, which will promote the development of isolated convection across the Mogollon Rim in the afternoon. In the wake of the late week trough, a fast-moving ridge will slide through the western CONUS this weekend. This will translate into height rises and a steady warming/drying trend through early next week. Latest NBM indicates a return to above normal temperatures by Sunday/Monday with lower desert highs generally in the lower 80s. Thereafter, there is a considerable increase in uncertainty as a series of Pacific troughs move into the intermountain West. Some extended ensemble members and operational models even suggest the pattern may ultimately evolve into a block by the middle to end of next week. && .AVIATION...Updated at 1750Z. South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT; A weather system and cold front will move through the area today. During shower activity, CIGs between 4-5 kft will be common. The best timeframe for showers seems to be focused during the early to mid afternoon hours which may also include some isolated thunderstorms. Any thunderstorms on station could bring brief gusty winds and heavy downpours that could result in reduced visibilities. Amendments to include VCTS and TSRA may be considered, as several cells have developed in western and northern Maricopa County and are moving quickly to the northeast. Low- level clouds will persist through the remainder of the period, only lifting to around 5-7 kft once all the rainfall has pushed out of the region. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: No major aviation concerns are expected during the TAF period. Mostly dry conditions will prevail with just a slight chance (5-10%) of a shower near or on station, so chances are too low to warrant inclusion in the TAFs. Winds will generally remain out of the west with speeds hovering between 7-12 kts. Recent guidance suggests Sundowner winds developing at KIPL this evening, with gusts into the mid 20s. Persistent low- to mid-level cloudiness can be anticipated during the period with bases commonly between 7-10 kft. && .FIRE WEATHER... A moistening trend will continue today as a low pressure system moves through the Desert Southwest. The highest chances (40-60 percent) for wetting rains will be concentrated in the foothills and higher terrain north and east of Phoenix. However, showers and isolated thunderstorms will also be possible across the Arizona lower deserts. The strongest storms be capable of producing brief heavy rain and wind gusts to 30 mph. A warming and drying trend is likely Friday through early next week as high pressure builds across the intermountain West. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...None. && DISCUSSION...Smith PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...Hirsch AVIATION...Whittock/Kuhlman FIRE WEATHER...Hirsch
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
115 PM MST Thu Mar 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0104 PM Hail 7 SW Phoenix 33.37N 112.15W
03/07/2024 E0.25 inch Maricopa AZ Public
Pea size hail reported in Laveen.
&&
GLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
132 PM MST Thu Mar 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1156 AM Hail 4 S Deer Valley 33.61N 112.13W
03/07/2024 E0.25 inch Maricopa AZ Public
Pea-size hail reported.
&&
GLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
143 PM MST Thu Mar 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1106 AM Hail 6 NE Beardsley 33.75N 112.33W
03/07/2024 E0.25 inch Maricopa AZ Public
Pea-size hail reported in the Vistancia area
in Peoria.
&&
GLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
146 PM MST Thu Mar 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1230 PM Hail 5 SSE Avondale 33.37N 112.32W
03/07/2024 E0.25 inch Maricopa AZ Emergency Mngr
Pea-size hail reported at the Phoenix
International Raceway in Avondale.
&&
GLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
149 PM MST Thu Mar 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0110 PM Hail 5 NNW Ahwatukee Foothil 33.37N 112.09W
03/07/2024 E0.25 inch Maricopa AZ Trained Spotter
Pea-size hail reported.
&&
GLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
221 PM MST Thu Mar 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0215 PM Hail 3 ENE Phoenix Mesa Gate 33.33N 111.61W
03/07/2024 E0.25 inch Maricopa AZ Public
Pea-size hail reported.
&&
GLThe Phoenix radar (KIWA), 56 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:40 UTC.
1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Visual photos showed a weak landspout developed over an open field near the Casa Grande Mountains just south of Casa Grande, AZ from a thunderstorm cell moving over the area. The landspout lasted for about 8 minutes with no evidence of any damages or injuries.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
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NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1170527.