Phoenix was hit by hail and strong winds, damaging vehicles throughout the valley

Arizona isn’t typically known as a severe weather hotspot, but this week the state experienced hail, flooding and even a rare tornado.

A severe storm produced hail the size of golf balls in the Phoenix metropolitan area on Wednesday and damaged the windshields of cars throughout the valley. Reports about social media showed vehicle windshields destroyed by hail.

North Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe and Mesa were among the Valley communities that felt the worst of the hail. Winds of up to 60 miles per hour were responsible for downed trees throughout the metro.

While hailstorms are rare in Phoenix, the metro area has experienced several severe storms in the past year, including a November 2025 storm that produced hail in the West Valley.

In October 2010, Phoenix was hit by back-to-back hailstorms, causing an estimated $2.7 billion in insurance losses.

The worst of Wednesday’s storms missed Phoenix to the north. Significant damage occurred in communities near Prescott and Flagstaff, caused by winds of up to 70 mph and heavy rainfall.

Overgaard, which is part of Navajo Country, reported heavy damage from strong winds. Local reports suggested the community may have been struck by a tornado, but the National Weather Service has not yet confirmed whether a tornado was responsible.

Dry conditions are expected across most of the state in the coming days.

Photo above: An uprooted tree damaged vehicles at a local apartment complex after storms on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Mesa, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)