Phoenix, AZ records wettest October ever, 4th wettest month, and the wettest water year to date
Image credit: Drive with care. The Republic.
Heavy rain produced by remnants of Hurricane "Sergio" hit parts of Arizona on October 13, 2018, flooding low-lying roads and closing some local streets. The remnants of former Hurricane "Rosa" early in October 2018 combined with Hurricane "Sergio" mid-month to push Phoenix's rainfall total to record levels.
As of 18:52 MDT, October 13, Phoenix recorded 55.6 mm (2.19 inches) of rain so far today, and 135.1 mm (5.32 inches) so far this month, making October 2018 Phoenix's 4th wettest month ever and the wettest October ever. The storm also contributed to making 2018 the wettest water year to date.
The calendar year total is 221.4 mm (8.72 inches) which is 64.7 mm (2.55 inches) above normal. The previous October record was 111.7 mm (4.4 inches) registered in 1972.
Flooding was reported on several lanes of Interstate 10 near 43rd Avenue, forcing traffic tie-ups, and numerous cars had to be rescued from flooded roadways throughout Maricopa County, AZCentral reports.
Even the Arizona State Fair closed early for the first time "in recent memory" after ankle-deep waters flooded the streets and walkways.
The East Valley was hit with the brunt of the storm.
Parts of west Phoenix saw more than 76.2 mm (3 inches), while South Mountain Park in Tempe reported 84 mm (3.31 inches). Most areas measured 38.1 – 63.5 mm (1.5 to 2.5 inches) of rain.
The remnants of Hurricane "Rosa" kicked the month off by dumping 59.9 mm (2.36 inches) of rain on Phoenix on October 2.
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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