It’s a summer weekend in Arizona. That means freeway travel — with pandemic restrictions — road work, dust storms, monsoon storms and more. Get the latest news below, all weekend long.
Check back with azcentral.com throughout the day for updates.
The National Weather Service in Phoenix tweeted at 5 p.m. that showers and a few isolated thunderstorms have developed east of Phoenix.
Phoenix could see gusty winds and heavy rain with any storms that develop, according to the tweet.
Near Tucson, storms are moving slow, but Tucson may see a brief, heavy downpour of rain depending on their location, according to a tweet by NWS in Tucson.
For traffic, Arizona Department of Transportation published a list of road closures for parts of Interstate 17 and Loop 101 for those traveling over the weekend.
A crash was blocking the intersection of the U.S. 60 and 163rd Avenue as of 12:30 p.m., according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The crash happened just past the Loop 303 and was causing “heavy delays” in the area.
The National Weather Service just after 12:15 p.m. tweeted that there were reports of a funnel cloud accompanying a storm making its way through Navajo County.
The weather service said it got reports of the funnel cloud between Dilkon and Indian Wells over the previous hour. It asked the public to share any sightings with the weather service.
And so it begins. The state Department of Transportation was watching a big traffic backup on Interstate 17 northbound Saturday morning — even though there was no sign of a wreck or particular reason for the slowdown.
I-17 is notorious for slowdowns and shutdowns, especially on weekends as people escape the heat of metro Phoenix for cooler temperatures to the north.
The freeway is the quickest route toward Prescott and the only practical way to get from Phoenix to Flagstaff. But it’s only two lanes in each direction for much of the way, including the tortuous Black Canyon City stretch, where tight curves, steep grades and frequent wrecks can leave one or both lanes closed.
A project to widen I-17 between Anthem and Sunset Point is in the state’s plans, but crews won’t break ground until next year.
Arizona’s monsoon is upon us, which can mean some spectacular storms and also some dangerous situations.
Fortunately, The Arizona Republic’s Weldon Johnson already laid out everything you need to know about the monsoon, including these safety tips:
Dust storms: If you’re driving when one hits, pull off the road as soon as possible. Once stopped, turn off your lights and keep your foot off of the brake pedal. In low-visibility situations, people may try to follow the lights of the car in front of them and you don’t want someone thinking you’re still on the road running into your parked car.
Floods: Don’t hike in or camp near washes or seemingly dry streams that could flow with water in the event of a storm. The storm that causes the water to flow could be miles upstream of your location. Do not drive through flooded roads, washes or streams. It only takes 2 feet of swiftly moving water to float a car.
Lightning: Arizona averages more than a half-million lightning strikes during a typical monsoon, but it can be deadly so it’s best to view it from indoors.
Heat: Take the heat seriously. If you must work or exercise outdoors, try to do so early in the day or after the sun goes down. Drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting, light clothing when you go out and be aware of the signs of heat-related illness.
And while weekend activities may go on for some, the new coronavirus pandemic has affected daily life across Arizona.
Here’s your reminder that closures, restrictions and health recommendations remain in place.
Bars are closed: Gov. Doug Ducey has extended an executive order that closed bars. He did not provide a date for when the order will be lifted and bars can reopen. The updated executive order states that the provisions ordering “pausing of business operations” of bars will be reviewed every two weeks for either repeal or revision.
Gyms are closed: The order that calls for “indoor gyms and fitness clubs or centers” to “pause operations” has been extended indefinitely. But how that order affects individual sites is varied.
Wear a mask: Public health officials have urged face-coverings in public to help prevent the spread of the disease. (Remember, the mask isn’t just to protect you, it’s to help you protect others.) Cities across the state have made it mandatory.
Moonsoon activity remains a possibility on Saturday.
The National Weather Service said thunderstorms were expected to be scattered and not as powerful as those seen around the state Friday. The Valley’s temperatures were expected to hover between 100 and 104 degrees.
The best chances for rain are seen in the northern and eastern outskirts of metro Phoenix. Thunderstorms could also hit areas near the Mogollon Rim and Flagstaff in northern Arizona, as well as east of Tucson.
The weather service said the “low grade” monsoon patterns would persist into next week, which is expected to bring higher temperatures.