THEMARICOPAMOD.COM / WEATHER & ENVIRONMENT

Arizona Weather Update: Winds, dust, and localized heavy downpours

One should also see a welcomed dip in afternoon temperatures the next few days.

PUBLISHED JUL 14, 2024

For today plan sunny and hazy skies across the region.

Phoenix, Arizona: An overnight storm complex in Mexico and morning gulf surge has sent deeper moisture north into southcentral AZ. Looking at the big picture, the monsoon ridge has settled a bit further south into the Four Corners region and should remain there through Monday.

Favorable east/southeasterly flow should lend to a reinvigoration of afternoon/evening storm activity across favored regions of southern and central AZ later today and again on Monday. One should also see a welcomed dip in afternoon temperatures the next few days with highs stepping back to or below the 110°F mark.

For today plan sunny and hazy skies across the region with continued smoke from ongoing fires across the state. Afternoon temperatures will step back a few degrees into the 108°F -111°F range around the Valley. Variable winds will generally remain in the 5-15mph range with localized gustier conditions possible from storm outflows.

Storms will initiate across the higher terrain areas north and east of the Valley this afternoon and across southern AZ. Some of this activity will try and move west/northwest into portions of the lower deserts this evening/tonight but will need the help of colliding outflows to survive into the Phoenix Valley. Any stronger storms will be capable of damaging wind gusts, blowing dust, and localized heavy downpours.

For tomorrow plan on another humid and hazy start to the day with plenty of sun. Daytime highs will again top out in the 108°F -111°F range around the Valley. Variable winds will generally remain in the 5-15mph range with localized gustier conditions possible during the evening hours. Storm chances will again be favored across the higher terrain areas north and east of the Valley with colliding outflows necessary to get secondary storm activity into the lower deserts during the evening hours.

Strong winds, blowing dust, and localized heavy downpours will again be possible with any stronger storms. A slow drying and heating trend is expected to begin after Tuesday and continue for the remainder of the work week.