Please allow me to interject my feelings about Mother Nature

I think you're right about that. It's like a severe thunderstorm that breaks the "cap" when the lift gets strong enough. Once it busts, look out.

 

When we talk about a line of strong thunderstorms coming through, this is what we mean. Note that this is the gust front before the rain even hits.

How would you like to be in a jet sitting out on the departing runway when that hit?

 

Probably a good 60 mph tops, definitely a severe storm but not quite a shingle-ripper.

 

Nope... but we've been good for one or two of these a week this spring.

 

People are focusing on Phoenix, but it's gotten as hot as 96 in Flagstaff, which is brutal for a place that sits at 7,200 feet. Not sure how much has changed since I moved 18 years ago, but most houses/apartments were not built with AC because it rarely got above the mid 80s with 8 percent humidity in the summer. Really no need for it. Anything above 90 was extremely rare.

 

Our overnight low in Phoenix was 97 degrees. Highest overnight low ever recorded here.

Fun times.

 

Yeesh.

 

Obligatory.

 

We need an 'unlike' button.

 

Hurricane Andrew, imo. It seemed like a freak event at the time but it served as an introduction to the devastating Gulf storms to follow.

 

3pm.

119 degrees.