El Niño Fuels Wet Weather Across Arizona
El Niño Fuels Wet Weather Across Arizona
US · Published Oct 28, 2026
• Arizona has experienced months of unusually wet weather, driven by El Niño conditions and hurricanes in the East Pacific.
• Weak trade winds have allowed warm water to persist, creating favorable conditions for tropical storms like Rachel and Polo, which brought significant moisture to the region.

Impact & Risks

Recent storms have caused widespread damage across Arizona, including flash floods, hailstorms, and tornadoes. In Clifton, floodwaters and rockslides devastated the historic mining town, while hailstorms in the Valley shattered windows and damaged vehicles. Tribal communities in northern Arizona faced displacement due to flooding, and hikers were stranded in Oak Creek Canyon after flash floods submerged bridges. Tornadoes in Prescott and Heber-Overgaard added to the severe weather impacts. Residents should prepare for continued risks of flooding, property damage, and travel disruptions as the wet weather persists.

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