Arizona’s Thirsty Desert Gets Unusual Amounts of Winter Rainfall

By Nidah Chatriwala

As the holiday weekend gets closer, many are staying glued to their local weather forecast to prepare for change in their traveling plans. Arizona, a state that is assumed to be a desert region received an usual amount of rainfall causing canals to swell up and water filled up on golf courses turning it into a pond for ducks.

According to The Weather Channel, from late Thursday until 5 a.m. MST on Saturday, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport received 2.34 inches of rain. Friday’s rainfall total alone was 1.60 inches, making it the second wettest November day since 1895 in Phoenix. The wettest November day was in 1923 when 2.24 inches of rain was recorded on Nov. 10.

This winter storm caused many to miss out on college and high school sporting events disappointing athletes and fans. Some took advantage of this drenching rain and took to the outdoors. However, for some it wasn’t the best case scenario as still traffic and accidents ruined opportunity to enjoy the post-monsoon showers.

The Weather Channel reports, the record wettest calendar day in Phoenix is 2.24 inches on Nov. 10, 1923. The record wettest month of November there is 3.61 inches in 1905.

Aside from the massive rain, the northern part of the state received enough snow to create snow angels.

According to azcentral.com, Flagstaff got about 6.2 inches of snow since the storm started Thursday night. However, much of that melted off and only three inches was on the ground at the local airport Saturday morning.

The storm subsided by Sunday morning, but gloomy clouds remained in the sky causing a soft glow as the sunlight reflected upon them.

Arizonans definitely love rain and the thirsty soil of the Grand Canyon state is left craving for more.

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