Severe thunderstorms swept through Northern and Central Arizona on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, bringing heavy hail and damaging winds to several communities. While the National Weather Service reported no tornadoes during the period, the storms caused significant property damage and downed trees in multiple regions, including Flagstaff, Prescott, and the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Flagstaff Hit by Large Hail
Heavy hail impacted the Flagstaff area throughout the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, Oct. 21. Reports from the National Weather Service indicated multiple instances of significant hail, with sizes ranging from quarter-sized stones to golf balls. In the downtown Flagstaff area, residents reported seeing hail as large as ping pong balls and half dollars.
Specific reports from the Flagstaff Airport and surrounding neighborhoods documented various hail sizes. At 10:17 p.m. CST, a report noted hail the size of ping pong balls near the airport, followed by reports of half-dollar-sized hail near downtown Flagstaff at 10:20 p.m. CST and 10:28 p.m. CST. Other residents reported seeing hail the size of golf balls via Facebook at 11:43 p.m. CST near downtown Flagstaff.
Wind Damage and Downed Trees
Strong winds and downed trees were reported in the Prescott and Walker areas. On Wednesday morning, the Yavapai Sheriff's Office reported that trees had been downed in Walker, Arizona.
Additional wind damage was noted near Prescott. Law enforcement reported downed trees on Walker Road between mile marks on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Wind gusts were recorded at 52 mph near the Prescott Courthouse on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 8:39 a.m. CST, and again at 11:39 p.m. CST.
Storms Impact Phoenix Metro Area
The storm system also moved through the Phoenix metropolitan area, bringing large hail and high winds to Glendale, Deer Valley, and Peoria. In Glendale, a wind gust of 53 mph was measured near Safford, Arizona, at 5:46 p.m. CST on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Residents in Glendale and Deer Valley reported significant hail sizes. In Glendale, a photo captured hail stones with the largest estimated at 2 inches in diameter. Throughout the Deer Valley area, multiple reports documented hail ranging from 1 inch to 1.75 inches in diameter during the late afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Regional Weather Summary
Other severe weather reports included significant wind gusts and hail across the region. A wind gust of 74 mph was reported near Bellemont, Arizona, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 7:45 a.m. CST. Additionally, a trained spotter reported golf ball-sized hail in Rockville, Utah, via social media at 5:09 p.m. CST on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Data Overview
The National Weather Service's statistical summary for the period between 6:00 a.m. CST on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and 6:00 a.m. CST on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, detailed these various severe weather events. The data included reports from the public, law enforcement, and automated weather stations across Arizona and Utah.
