Arizona Watcher
Pre-dawn clouds produced unexpected thunder and lightning across Phoenix and parts of the East Valley despite forecasts showing only a 10 to 20 percent chance of overnight rain.
The showers delivered rolling thunder, visible lightning and pockets of heavy rain concentrated over Phoenix and the East Valley, prompting officials to warn drivers about slick roads.
Meteorologist Ryan Worley said the rainfall was a welcome sight after a prolonged heat stretch but that the showers were expected to move north and west within a few hours and not linger.
Radar during the early commute showed a band of thunderstorms with areas of heavy reflectivity tracking across Phoenix, Chandler and other East Valley communities.
The National Weather Service emphasized hazards tied to the morning showers, citing cloud-to-ground lightning and brief heavy downpours, and urged motorists to exercise caution on wet pavement.
Officials noted clouds could shave a few degrees off air temperature but raise humidity and the heat index; the forecast still called for a high near 110 degrees with heat precautions advised.
By midmorning forecasters expected the showers to clear the metro area and not materially alter the region's hot pattern for the day; the disturbance was brief and localized.
Local reports said lightning from the storms ignited fires at two Valley homes; homeowners described damage in interviews and officials reported no injuries.
Early Tuesday, clouds and a line of thunderstorms brought surprising thunder and lightning to Phoenix and parts of the East Valley despite only a small overnight chance for rain. Meteorologists say the showers are welcome but expected to push north and west within a few hours,…