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Small but intense thunderstorms hit Valley
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A bolt of lightning illuminates the sky over downtown Chandler and the new Chandler Fire Department headquarters on July 3, 2009.
Ralph Freso, Tribune
Small but intense thunderstorms were popping up across Arizona on Friday evening and could return on Independence Day.
Meteorologists were tracking more than 10 thunderstorms at 6:30 p.m., including strong storms over Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek and the Chandler Heights area, said Jaret Rogers, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
Mind the monsoon: Storms can be violent
Residents can expect pockets of blowing dust, winds up to 50 miles per hour and rain across the Valley until at least 8:30 p.m., Rogers said. Hail is also a possibility
“They’re pretty small thunderstorms in (size), but they’re pretty strong,” Rogers said.
Things are expected to dry out a bit Saturday, but there’s still a 10 percent chance of thunderstorms in the evening, just in time for fireworks displays.
The high is expected to be about 104 degrees, but the temperature is expected to cool off to the mid- to upper 90s in the evening, Rogers said.
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| Inez Perreault of Chandler shields herself from the rain as she and her grandchildren make a dash for the car at Hamilton Aquatic Center on July 3, 2009. |
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