October 21, 2026 - 6:52 pm

PHOENIX — Hail the size of golf balls and damaging wind gusts pounded northern and central Arizona in a rare storm blowing through, bringing with it tornado risks and possible flash floods.

The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings as severe thunderstorms moved through the state overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday, encouraging people to seek shelter and stay away from windows as damaging 2-to-3-inch hail struck the area. Hail pummeled people’s roofs, shattered windows and dented cars.

Tornado watches were issued for multiple areas — the first the state has seen since Oct. 6, 2010.

Warm, moist air moving north fuels storms coming off the California coast.…