By Scott Bryant | Bryant Real Estate — North Phoenix Real Estate Specialist - 11/01/2026
If you spent the weekend watching desert washes swell or navigating standing water along Loop 101, you know this was not your typical scattered Arizona drizzle. A widespread storm system brought heavy, prolonged moisture across the Valley of the Sun.
Whether evaluating drainage before putting a home on the market or checking an HOA community after a storm, understanding local weather patterns is a key part of property ownership in North Phoenix.
Hillcrest Moons Valley Best kept secret - The storm clouds loom over north mountain as the neighborhood prepares for another evening of rain.
Phoenix Rainfall Totals: The Official Numbers
Precipitation gauges across Maricopa County and the Flood Control District recorded significant accumulations:
Yesterday (Saturday, Oct 31)
Phoenix Sky Harbor (Official Gauge) - 1.16 inches
North Phoenix & Foothills (Desert Ridge / Norterra / Anthem) - 0.85 – 1.30 inches
Today (Sunday, Nov 1) (As of 2:30 PM)
Phoenix Sky Harbor (Official Gauge) - 0.44 inches
North Phoenix & Foothills (Desert Ridge / Norterra / Anthem) - 0.55 – 0.65 inches
48-Hour Weekend Total
Phoenix Sky Harbor (Official Gauge) 1.60 inches
North Phoenix & Foothills (Desert Ridge / Norterra / Anthem) 1.40 – 1.95 inches
2026 Year-to-Date (YTD)
Phoenix Sky Harbor (Official Gauge) 6.91 inches (Normal: 6.83 inches)
North Phoenix & Foothills (Desert Ridge / Norterra / Anthem) 7.60+ inches
Search Note: Homeowners commonly track these metrics using flood control gauge updates, NWS Phoenix Sky Harbor precipitation data, and local North Phoenix weather station telemetry.
Scott’s Take: North Phoenix Neighborhoods in the Rain
“Yesterday afternoon, we got rained out from our annual Halloween Muts and Munchkins block party in Hillcrest, in my neighborhood in North Phoenix. We tempted fate and were able to have the start of our event before we got rained out. What is super interesting is just seeing how long the rainstorm lasted, because, from my perspective, it started around 4:30 or 5:00 and didn't clear up until 1 pm today. Although not complaining because we certainly do need it, looking at the horizon, it may suggest that we're going to get some more rain tonight”
The Mutts & Munchkins Event in Hillcrest In North Phoenix
Real Estate & Home Maintenance: Post-Storm Checklist for North Phoenix Homeowners
A storm yielding over 1.5 inches of rain provides a valuable opportunity to assess property condition:
Check Lot Drainage and Foundation Slope: Ensure runoff flows away from the stem wall foundation rather than pooling near perimeter walls or back patios.
Inspect Roof Underlayment and Tile Flashing: Prolonged, steady soaking will quickly uncover compromised tile underlayment, valleys clogged with desert foliage, or cracked flat-roof seals.
Survey Desert Landscaping: Saturated caliche soil softens quickly. Inspect mature palo verde, mesquite, and ironwood trees for root destabilization or heavy, waterlogged branches.
Evaluate Wash Setbacks: For homes backing to county washes or HOA desert greenbelts, verify that natural banks held firm without soil erosion encroaching on perimeter fencing.
Looking to Buy or Sell in North Phoenix?
Heavy rain events put neighborhood infrastructure and individual home drainage to the test. If you are preparing to list your property or looking to buy in Anthem, Norterra, Desert Ridge, or Sonoran Foothills, work with a local expert who understands both market trends and North Phoenix land topography.
Scott Bryant
Bryant Real Estate | Top-Producing North Phoenix Real Estate Expert
Contact our team today for neighborhood market insights, property valuations, or private home tours across North Phoenix.