May 16, 2006 Storm Statistics

Readings From Weather Bus.com:

Rain Start Time: May 16, 2006 at 5:05pm
Rain End Time: May 16, 2006 at 7:10pm

Storm Total: 0.07in.
Max Rain Rate: 0.54in/hr
Peak Wind Gust: NE @ 36mph

Lightning Summary:

Total Strikes: 33,253
Close Strikes: 1,2564 (within 50miles)
Peak Strike Rate: 345per/min.
Strike Distribution:
CG+ CG- IC+ IC-
3,282 17,105 9,330 3,536
9.8% 51.6% 28.0% 10.6%


Comments:
These storms were very unusual for this time of year. The pattern that was in place to form these storms would normally be seen in early to mid August.

As the storms moved into the valley frequent cloud to ground lightning, rain showers, and dust storms were noted. Below is the preliminary storm report issued by the NWS forecast office in Phoenix, AZ. 
 PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
 555 PM MST TUE MAY 16 2006
 
 ..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
 ..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
             ..REMARKS..
 
 0440 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NE MESA               33.45N 111.70W
 05/16/2006                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             LARGE TREE BLOWN DOWN NEAR HIGLEY AND MCDOWELL.
 
 0445 PM     DUST STORM       3 S QUEEN CREEK         33.20N 111.64W
 05/16/2006                   PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             VISIBILITY LESS THAN 1/8 MILE WITH WIND GUSTS EST 50-55 
             MPH AT HUNT HWY AND ELLSWORTH.
 
 0505 PM     DUST STORM       GLENDALE                33.58N 112.20W
 05/16/2006                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             VISIBILITY LESS THAN 1/4 MILE AT HWY 101 AND GLENDALE 
             AVE.
 
 0528 PM     DUST STORM       ARIZONA CITY            32.75N 111.67W
 05/16/2006                   PINAL              AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             VISIBILITY LESS THAN 1/4 MILE.
 
 0528 PM     FLASH FLOOD      10 N PHOENIX            33.69N 112.07W
 05/16/2006                   MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER 
 
             STREET FLOODING AT INTERSECTION OF CAVE CREEK AND UNION 
             HILLS ROADS IN NORTH PHOENIX. POWER OUTAGE ALSO REPORTED 
             IN AREA.


Storm Pictures Taken on May 16, 2006: (Click Pictures To Enlarge)

Taken on May 16, 2006 @ 2:28pm
 Radar Loop From 3:34pm to 4:04pm