Could a Tornado Hit Phoenix This Week?

Yes, an isolated tornado is possible in Phoenix today, though the probability remains low.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center has placed the Phoenix metro area under a 2% tornado probability zone, while parts of central and northern Arizona face a higher 5% probability. While a 2% chance sounds minimal, the overall system fueling these storms is incredibly rare. Meteorologists have issued a Level 3 out of 5 Enhanced Risk for severe weather across central Arizona—marking only the second time in history that the region has received a designation this severe. The unusual threat has already drawn storm chasers from across the country to the desert Southwest. The severe weather threat will peak Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning, driven by a powerful storm system colliding with an unusually volatile atmospheric setup.