Phoenix was hit by an unusual hailstorm that sent ice across streets and damaged vehicles, according to footage from the Arizona capital. The storm brought intense downpours that left residential areas looking as if they had been dusted with snow.
Dramatic footage from the city
Video circulated following the storm shows people sheltering inside a car while hail relentlessly strikes the windscreen, visibly cracking and shattering the glass. Other clips captured neighbourhoods where lawns, sidewalks and parked cars were covered in accumulations of ice.
Residents and motorists reported sudden, heavy bursts of hail during the storm. While hail is more commonly associated with spring and severe thunderstorms in other parts of the United States, the event in Phoenix was widely noted for its intensity and the rapid buildup of ice in urban areas.
Local officials and emergency services have not been quoted in the available footage, and reports of injuries or wider damage have not been confirmed in the material reviewed. The images and videos highlight how rapidly such storms can develop and the immediate impacts on people and property in affected neighbourhoods.
Meteorological agencies typically monitor convective storms that can produce hail, and residents in affected areas are advised to seek shelter during sudden severe weather. The recent episode in Phoenix underscores the need for preparedness when strong thunderstorms move through populated regions.