Today marks the coolest day of the week for much of Arizona, with Phoenix expected to reach a high of 86 degrees, which is about six degrees below the seasonal average. The temperatures will rise through the week, heading into the low to mid 90s from Thursday to Saturday.
Wind conditions will be relatively calmer in the Valley, ranging from 5 to 15 mph. However, eastern Arizona continues to face gusty winds, prompting a Red Flag Warning in the White Mountains north to the Chuska Mountains from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The warning indicates both low humidity and windy conditions.
In particular, near the Greer Fire, winds will be stronger, blowing southwesterly at speeds of 20 to 25 mph and gusting up to 40 mph. This is a decrease from the previous day when winds gusted as high as 70 mph, hindering firefighting efforts with air tankers unable to assist.
As a low-pressure system exits the region, the forecast for the weekend indicates a potential for dry conditions alongside increased winds. While temperatures may dip to around 84 degrees on Sunday, it appears that any possible rain will likely remain confined to areas along and north of Interstate 40 in northern Arizona.
This week’s weather variations signal the typical seasonal shifts Arizona experiences, reminding residents to stay prepared for changing conditions.