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.
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.