After the first significant monsoon storm of the season, the oppressive heat wave in Metro Phoenix begins to abate

Following the first significant monsoon storm of the season, which whipped up dust and strong winds and produced the first measurable rainfall in some parts since March, the continuous heat wave that has smothered Phoenix for the most of July was slowly easing Thursday.

Numerous mobile houses in Mesa had their roofs and awnings torn off by the storm on Wednesday night, which included gusts of exceeding 60 mph (96.5 kph). The evening low in one Phoenix suburb was lowered below 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius) for the first time in 16 days, lifting the roof of a modest one-story apartment structure in the process.

Tom Frieders, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, said that the heat wave was still ongoing. Although it will still be scorching, we anticipate that it will start to drop down after Saturday.

According to the Maricopa County Flood Control District, the storm on Wednesday night delivered a lot of dust, lightning, and rainfall that ranged from 0.25 inches (0.63 cm) to 1 inch (2.54 cm) in some places. Although there were no casualties recorded, several locals in that region momentarily lost electricity because utility poles were damaged. Throughout the area, several trees fell.

Despite the storm, Phoenix was under an extreme heat warning until Saturday night. Temperatures were anticipated to stay above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) at least through Sunday, with a high of 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46.1 degrees Celsius) on Thursday. The peak temperature was expected to drop to 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42.2 degrees Celsius) on Monday.

For the remainder of this week, isolated, scattered thunderstorms with short, localized downpours and blowing dust are probable in south-central Arizona. These storms might worsen visibility. Over the weekend and into the next week, there might be an increase in thunderstorm-related risks. The heat will continue to be quite hazardous until then, according to Frieders.

Seven additional heat-related fatalities have been reported in Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, as of Saturday, as the number of heat-related deaths has risen in previous weeks. The county now has 25 verified cases so far this year. In the approximately 4.5 million-person county last year, there were 425 documented fatalities brought on by the heat.