Phoenix Halloween: Rain Falls for 12th Time in 131 Years

Phoenix residents adjusted their Halloween plans to account for a rare downpour. Trick-or-treaters in north Phoenix left their homes earlier than usual to complete their rounds before the rain intensified. The weather marked a historic shift for the arid city, with precipitation recorded on October 31 for only the 12th time in 131 years of record-keeping, according to First Alert Meteorologist Pete Mangione.

Families cited various reasons for beating the storm. One child explained the early departure was a precaution against a potential deluge. Another participant protected their hair, noting that spray paint would be ruined by the drizzle. Some embraced the change in conditions, with one child in a hot costume saying the rain would help cool them down. Another described the atmosphere as feeling extra spooky.

Homeowners expressed mixed feelings about the wet weather. Jennifer stated she loves rain on any other day but was unhappy to see it on her special night. Barbara worried about the financial cost of her candy supply, asking if she would need to return unclaimed bags to Costco. Nancy Soyka lamented the situation, predicting she would have to eat five bags of candy herself if visitors stayed home.

The event underscores a shift in local weather patterns for a city known for its dry climate. The data from this year provides a new data point in the long-term record of Halloween weather in the Phoenix metropolitan area.