Update at 12:57 p.m. ET: Phoenix Sky Harbor International has now totaled 3.29 inches of rain since midnight on Monday, and scattered showers are still pushing through the region. This is by far the wettest day on record in the weather site’s 119-year reporting history.
Monday surpassed the rainiest calendar day on record at Phoenix Sky Harbor International, which has received over three inches of rain since the early morning hours. The previous record of 2.91 inches was set in 1933.
IT'S A RECORD!!! Phoenix Sky Harbor 2.96 in. of rain breaks the all-time calendar day record total previously 2.91/1933. #flood #azwx
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 8, 2014
Putting this event into perspective, the National Weather Service in Phoenix writes that the average rainfall for the entire monsoon season is 2.71 inches.
Rainfall totals of two to four inches are widespread across greater Phoenix, and the deluge is not expected to let up until at least mid-morning, mountain time. Post-Tropical Cyclone Norbert, formerly a hurricane, is located off the Baja California coast on Monday morning, channeling warm, moist air northward into the Southwest desert, which is fueling the record-setting precipitation.
A flash flood warning is in effect until 10:30 a.m. MT in the greater Phoenix area as heavy rain is expected to continue there until mid-morning.
Dozens of schools are closed on Monday morning, and Arizona Public service has reported approximately 10,000 customers are without power, as well.
Images from Arizona Department of Transportation traffic cameras paint a grim picture of the early morning commute in the Phoenix area.
I-10 flooding gives a new meaning to car pool! #azwx #monsoon pic.twitter.com/QaGFvUvs8f
— Michael Chow (@photochowder) September 8, 2014
19th Ave. flooded at I-10 from #monsoon rains. #azwx pic.twitter.com/wqxpil72dL
— Michael Chow (@photochowder) September 8, 2014
More flooding photos from I-10 at 43rd Ave. #azwx #monsoon pic.twitter.com/F3AdU2VhC5
— Michael Chow (@photochowder) September 8, 2014
Cars stuck in flooded freeway since 5 am pic.twitter.com/W9zpjBCgds
— Jill Galus (@JillGalus) September 8, 2014
People standing helplessly as their cars are stuck on the I-10 near 43rd Ave that now looks like a lake #Monsoon2014 pic.twitter.com/LYDNKgzsMt
— Jill Galus (@JillGalus) September 8, 2014
Flooding on US 60 restricting traffic, both directions, at SR 87 (Grand). Very slow. pic.twitter.com/3yuKxfyv9J
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 8, 2014