PHOENIX, AZ — After one of the hottest stretches of the year, Phoenix is getting a breather — but don't put the sunscreen away just yet.
A cold front moving through Arizona is keeping Valley temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s Monday, running about 4 to 7 degrees below normal for mid-May.
It's the coolest day of the week, and forecasters say the warmup back toward triple digits begins almost immediately after.
The front is expected to stall across south-central Arizona by mid-morning, meaning Phoenix will be spared the stronger winds hitting parts of California and southwest Arizona. Still, expect breezy southwest winds through the afternoon, with gusts between 15 and 30 mph.
Some low clouds could hang around Monday morning, and a brief sprinkle is possible after sunrise, though the National Weather Service says no measurable rain is expected.
Hazy skies are also possible early in the day as dust lofted over parts of California and Nevada drifts into the region.
From there, the heat builds back steadily. Tuesday highs are expected to recover into the lower 90s, still below normal but trending warmer.
By midweek, a weak trough pattern keeps conditions close to seasonal levels with highs in the mid-to-upper 90s. Morning lows through the week should stay near or slightly below normal.
The weekend is where things get interesting again. As that trough breaks down, forecasters put the odds of hitting 100 degrees at 30 to 60 percent.
Conditions will stay dry through the weekend with no rain threat, and typical afternoon breezes of 15 to 25 mph are expected.
Enjoy the mild Monday while it lasts.
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