Between the evening of November 17th and the evening of the 20th, a slow-moving upper-level low pressure system progressed through the Desert Southwest. 80+) led to multiple rounds of scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
Between the evening of November 17th and the evening of the 20th, a slow-moving upper-level low pressure system progressed through the Desert Southwest. The combination of the strong dynamical forcing from the low and well-above normal moisture values (PWATs of 0.80+) led to multiple rounds of scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms. Most of the rain and impacts fell/occurred on the 18th and 19th, with much of central Arizona receiving rainfall totals of 1.00-2.50 and some areas receiving 3+ inches. This rainfall led to instances of flash flooding and flows in normally dry creeks and washes. Several streamflow gauges across the Flood Control District of Maricopa County's (FCDMC) network exceeded designated alarm stages and a couple gauges in far north Phoenix reached bank full. Several swift water rescues as well as road closures were reported across in or near the washes that exceeded alarm stage/bank full.
With just enough instability (CAPE values near 500 J/KG) and high wind shear (>50 kts), several severe thunderstorms developed, including a few supercells, in Maricopa County on both the 18th and 19th. Hail was the primary severe weather impact, given the lower freezing levels. There was one report of severe hail (1+ inch in diameter) on the 18th, in Sun City Festival, and multiple reports of quarter size to golf ball size hail on the 19th, in Ahwatukee and Tempe. There was also a lot of accumulating hail, especially on the 19th when a portion of I-10 in Tolleson was covered in several inches of hail. The accumulating hail may have been a contributing factor to a partial roof collapse at Desert Sky Mall.
In addition to the flooding and hail, there were also a few reports of funnel clouds and an EF-0 tornado briefly touched down in Forepaugh, AZ, along US-60 between Aguila and Wickenburg during the afternoon hours on the 18th. The tornado caused a small amount of damage, including flipping an RV trailer.
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 Nov 18, 2:08 AM MST, 3 hours 12 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 208 AM MST Tue Nov 18 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - A slow moving weather disturbance will continue to bring periodic rain showers with a few isolated thunderstorms mainly across southern and central Arizona through Wednesday night. - Yet another weather system should bring rain chances Friday into the weekend with the main area of focus across southeast California. - Temperatures this week will hover below the seasonal normal with readings around 10 degrees below normal Wednesday through Friday. && .SHORT TERM /Today through Wednesday/... A large Pacific trough continues to slowly drifting southeastward across California and is now extending into the Desert Southwest. Ample upper level forcing and low level upslope southwesterly flow associated with the trough has allowed for occasional showers since last evening with the best area of focus across southwest Arizona into Maricopa County. Moisture levels will remain quite high at between 175-225% of normal today before gradually lowering beginning Wednesday. The combination of the moisture and the persistent forcing from the slow moving system will continue to bring periods of shower activity today and Wednesday across much of Arizona with some showers likely lingering across eastern Arizona into Thursday. Guidance is still showing some modest elevated instability for today which should result in some occasional embedded thunderstorms producing enhanced rainfall rates. Forecast rainfall totals are still looking quite good across the area with the highest amounts focused across central Arizona. The western lower deserts of southeast California will largely miss out on the rain with amounts generally less than 0.10". The Arizona lower deserts should average between 0.50-1.00" with even the higher amounts likely across northern La Paz and Maricopa Counties. It would not be surprising to see amounts as high as 1.50-2.00" along the Maricopa/Yavapai border. Since this event is quite drawn out, the threat for any flooding issues is rather small. However, we should at least expect normally dry washes to begin to flow which could impact some low water crossings. The already cooler temperatures will drop even further by Wednesday as the cold core of the system moves into the region. After the overnight lows in the 50s tonight, we are not expecting much warming on Wednesday with highs barely topping 60 degrees. Overnight lows Wednesday night/Thursday morning should easily dip into the 40s across southeast California and southwest Arizona as much of the clouds will gradually scatter out. && .LONG TERM /Thursday through Sunday/... The slow moving trough is expected to be finally pick up speed on Thursday as it finally exits to the east by later in the afternoon. Guidance is still showing some lingering showers focused across the eastern Arizona high terrain for Thursday morning and potentially into the afternoon, but additional rainfall amounts should fall short of 0.25". The Phoenix area may also see some lingering light shower activity through the first part of the morning hours on Thursday. The exiting system should allow for a decent amount of sunshine across the area by the afternoon, but the cold air mass will keep daytime highs in the lower 60s across the Phoenix area to the mid to upper 60s across far southwest Arizona into southeast California. Ensemble guidance is finally starting to have better agreement with the third weather system which is slated to quickly dive southward into the back side of the larger scale trough later Thursday into Friday. Models are now favoring a track which would largely bypass Arizona on Friday, but it should place southern California into a prime area of forced ascent and precip development. This should result in a fairly rainy day on Friday across southeast Califonria into portions of far southwest Arizona. The latest QPF amounts show rain totals as high as 0.75" across the western half of Imperial County and central Riverside County to 0.25-0.5" into the Yuma area. The low center is likely to keep moving south southeastward to over the northern Baja area Friday night and Saturday with the most likely path taking it more toward the east across northern Mexico on Sunday. If this forecast track holds, it is likely to be far enough to the south to not bring much rainfall to south- central or eastern Arizona. That's not to say those locations won't see additional rain over the weekend, but it is likely to be on the lighter side and more sparse compared to what the western deserts should see on Friday. && .AVIATION...Updated at 0545Z. South Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT: The main aviation concerns over the next 24-36 hrs will be the presence of BKN to OVC 4-6 kft cloud decks, periods of VCSH and SHRA that could result in reduced vsby, and a low chance (10-20%) of TS at all metro terminals. Multiple windows of rainfall are expected through Tuesday night. The next round looks to arrive Tuesday morning and persist into the early afternoon. If any MVFR cigs develop, the most likely timeframe would be around 15Z-18Z, but confidence is still too low at this time to include mention in the TAFs. Winds should favor a E/SE component throughout the forecast window becoming elevated with gusts reaching 18-20 kts Tuesday afternoon. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: The main aviation concerns through the forecast period will be periods of VCSH and SHRA that could result in reduced vsby and gusty westerly winds that are expected to materialize at KIPL Tuesday morning. Winds should remain mostly light and vrb overnight at both terminals before increasing out of the WSW at KIPL after sunrise Tuesday morning. VCSH will likely develop across SE California overnight and persist through much of the period. The best time frame to see heavier bands of SHRA will be around 14Z-18Z at KIPL and 18Z-21Z at KBLH. BKN-OVC skies will be common through Tuesday with the lowest bases around 6-8 kft. && .FIRE WEATHER... Periodic showers along with a few isolated thunderstorms will affect much of Arizona through Wednesday providing very good chances for wetting rains. Below normal temperatures and elevated moisture will remain in place keeping MinRHs in a 40-70% range following excellent overnight recovery greater than 80%. Locally gusty winds upwards of 20 mph will be possible at times, though weaker wind speeds will be more common through the period. Another weather system is expected to move across the western districts on Friday leading to additional wetting rain chances with chances eventually moving over the eastern districts over the weekend. Temperatures will mostly remain below normal through the weekend with humidities staying elevated. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...None. && SHORT TERM...Kuhlman LONG TERM...Kuhlman AVIATION...RW/Salerno FIRE WEATHER...Kuhlman
The Phoenix radar (KIWA), 114 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:19 UTC.
15 flash flood, 6 hail, 3 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado, 1 flood, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
Wintersburg Road between Indian School Road and Osborn Road in Tonopah closed due to approximately 3-4 feet of water over the roadway from excessive runoff along Fourmile Wash. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries reported.
Old US 80 closed between Agua Caliente Rd and Desert Rose Rd due to flooding. Timing based on travel time from upstream streamflow gauge on Centennial Wash at the UPR railroad crossing. No damages or injuries reported.
A Maricopa County Flood Control District Stream Gauge along Jackrabbit Wash near Vulture Mine Road measured water levels rising above the alarm stage level of 2.9 feet, with flows peaking at 4.45 feet (2681cfs). Water flow this high made Vulture Mine Road as well Wickenburg Road, located approximately 5.1 miles downstream of the gauge, impassable with several feet of water likely overtopping the road. Timing was estimated based on radar and the nearby stream gauge. No damages or injuries reported.
A water rescue was reported near 377th Ave and Orange Dr in Tonopah. Two people were found stuck in their truck with water halfway up the windows before being safely rescued. Timing estimated from radar.
Constellation Rd at El Recreo Drive in Wickenburg was closed due to flooding. No damages or injuries reported.
Vulture Mine Rd low water crossing at Sols Wash in Wickenburg was closed due to flooding along with a water rescue reported. A Maricopa County Flood Control District Stream Gauge at Sols Wash, just upstream of North Vulture Mine Road, measured water levels exceeding both the alarm (1.83 feet) and bank full (4.10 feet) levels, with the flow peaking at 4.17 feet (4970 cfs). Timing was estimated based on radar and the nearby stream gauge. No injuries reported.
Patton Rd between 195th Ave and 203rd Ave closed due to flooding. No damages or injuries reported.
Report of a water rescue near at Happy Valley Rd and 187th Ave. Water reportedly up to the level of car headlights. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries reported.
Report of hail up to 1 inch in diameter in Sun City Festival. Hail also accumulated to cover the ground. No damages or injuries reported.
Public sent a video of a brief tornado near the intersection of HWY 60 and N 439th Avenue in Forepaugh, AZ. This tornado crossed HWY 60 and produced EF-0 damage at a property on the north side of the highway. Damage included a flipped RV trailer, minor damage to other vehicles, and loss of a garage roof. Wind speeds with this tornado were estimated between 80-85 mph. Timing estimated by radar. No injuries reported.
Eagle Eye Road closed due to flooding of several low water crossings. A Maricopa County Flood Control District Stream Gauge along Tiger Wash just upstream measured water levels exceeding the alarm stage level of 5.9 feet, peaking at 6.02 feet (563 cfs). Timing was based on the time water levels exceeded the alarm stage level. No damages or injuries reported.
A water rescue was reported in the area if 421st Ave and Narramore Rd. Multiple rounds of rain fell during the morning and early afternoon, with 1.00-1.50 inches of radar estimated rainfall within the Centennial Wash basin just upstream of the reported rescue. No damages or injuries reported.
Water rescue reported in the area of Eagle Eye Rd and Salome Rd due to excessive runoff from Tiger Wash. No injuries reported.
Multiple photos and videos of a brief cold air funnel cloud as seen from Surprise and Wittman areas. Timing and location based on radar.
Report of a partial roof collapse of a business at Desert Sky Mall, likely due to the weight of the rain and accumulated small hail. A trained spotter reported the ground was covered in hail and people were having hail-ball fights. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries reported.
Downed power lines leading to power outage reported in the area of North 51st Avenue to North 47th Avenue and West Orangewood Avenue to West Maryland Avenue in Glendale. Based on radar evidence and surface observations, wind gusts were estimated upwards of 40 mph. Saturated loose grounds from previous rainfall likely made power lines more susceptible to go down with sub-severe winds. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries reported.
Downed power lines leading to power outage reported in the area of North 31st Avenue to North 23rd Avenue and Northern Avenue to West Maryland Avenue in Glendale. Based on radar evidence and surface observations, wind gusts were estimated upwards of 40 mph. Saturated loose grounds from previous rainfall likely made power lines more susceptible to go down with sub-severe winds. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries reported.
Photo showed a toppled large dead tree near the area of North 7th Street and East Grovers Avenue in Phoenix. Wind gusts were estimated at around 40 mph. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries reported.
Video showed multiple lanes of I-10 impassable, near 75th Ave, due to flooding and accumulated hail. No damages or injuries reported.
Two reports of ping pong to golf ball sized hail along Loop 202 WB between 24th and 40th street in Ahwatukee, with video evidence of hail dents on a vehicle. No injuries reported.
Water rescue reported along North Valley Parkway. A Maricopa County Flood Control District Stream Gauge just upstream measured water levels exceeding both the alarm (2.0 feet) and bank full (3.5 feet) stages, with flow peaking at 4.52 feet (681cfs). Timing was estimated based on the period water levels exceeded and then receded below alarm stage level. No injuries reported.
Photos of accumulated hail with sizes up to 0.75 in diameter in the area of South Country Club Way and East Balboa Drive in Tempe. No damages or injuries reported.
Video shows inundated concrete wash with rapidly flowing water, making the Tere Street low water crossing in Ahwatukee impassable. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries reported.
A photo shows a few hail stones, with the largest measuring up to 1.00 inch in diameter in the area of Loop 101 and U.S. 60 in Tempe. There was also a lot of 0.5 inch diameter hail reported. No damages or injuries reported.
Photo of estimated nickel-sized diameter hail in the area of East Broadway Road and South McClintock Drive in Tempe. No damages or injuries reported.
Water rescue reported near Paint Your Wagon Trail and 14th St in Phoenix due to excessive runoff from Desert Hills Wash. A man was trapped inside a pickup truck with water levels almost reaching the windows. No injuries reported.
Maricopa County Department of Transportation reported portions of Desert Hills Drive and 19th Avenue were closed along the unbridged crossings with Skunk Creek. Timing based on stream gauges along Skunk Creek. No damages or injuries reported.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arizona in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Arizona, 2025Warnings in Arizona, November 2025
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: 1298956, 1299037, 1299035, 1299036, 1299038, 1299039, 1299040, 1299041, 1299706, 1300374, 1299042, 1301516, 1300367, 1301473, 1301363, 1301361, 1301362, 1301360, 1299045, 1299711, 1299047, 1300443, 1300447, 1300444, 1299710, 1300453, 1300465.