drought
Near-Record 147-Day Drought Finally Ends with Midday Showers
A light rain shower unexpectedly graced Maricopa on January 27, 2024, bringing a long-awaited change to the region’s weather dynamics. For many locals, the small droplets were a refreshing sight after a prolonged dry spell.
Phoenix Sky Harbor, located 23 miles north of Maricopa, has seen no measurable precipitation for 158 days. Similarly, the last significant rainfall recorded in Maricopa was on September 2, 2023, amounting to just 0.13 inches—a stark reminder of the 147 dry days that followed.
Maricopa is on the brink of breaking the record for the longest dry streak, which sits at 160 days, established in 1972. To officially end this series, local meteorologists require at least one hundredth of an inch of rain. Unfortunately, trace amounts do not qualify.
Despite today’s rainfall, measuring the total accumulation was a challenge. Observers reported the rain’s intensity in terms of drops rather than inches, but the local community relished any precipitation.
MaryAnn Valencia celebrated the unexpected moisture at her Santa Rosa Springs home, exclaiming, “Woohoo! We had a little mixed rain with tiny hail pellets.” Such reactions underscored the excitement surrounding the weather event.
Although the rainfall in Maricopa did not reach measurable thresholds in Phoenix, National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Worley acknowledged the significance of the event. “This is kind of a big deal,” he noted. “The overall pattern hasn’t been conducive to rainfall this winter, and we haven’t seen the usual systems that bring moisture.”
Worley confirmed that the National Weather Service in Phoenix is vigilantly monitoring the situation, humorously suggesting, “We might consider popping champagne if it does rain,” emphasizing the rarity of such events.
For residents of the Valley, rain chances remain modest, fluctuating between 20% and 30%. Following today’s showers, temperatures are expected to dip into the 50s and 60s before climbing again in the coming days.