Phoenix Sizzles Past 110 Degrees, But Storms Could Bring A Brief Break

PHOENIX, AZ — The heat is not letting up in the Valley anytime soon, but a brief window of stormy weather may offer a temporary interruption before conditions dry out later in the week.

The National Weather Service in Phoenix is forecasting afternoon highs between 105 and 112 degrees in lower desert areas through Tuesday, running 3 to 8 degrees above normal for mid-June.

The agency has placed the region under widespread Moderate Heat Risk through the middle of the week, with isolated pockets of Major Heat Risk possible at times.

Overnight lows are offering little relief. Temperatures in population centers are expected to stay mostly in the 80s, meaning there is limited recovery time for people and buildings that absorb heat through the day.

If you have plans that involve extended time outside over the next few days, the weather service is urging proper precautions.

One More Round of Storms Today

Moisture levels are running well above normal for mid-June, and forecasters say another round of thunderstorms is possible Monday afternoon and evening.

Rain chances are listed at 20 to 40 percent, with the best chances focused over foothills and higher terrain. That said, storms in the Phoenix metro cannot be ruled out.

If storms do develop, the main hazards will be gusty outflow winds, lightning and blowing dust, particularly over lower desert areas.

Travelers heading to or from Phoenix Sky Harbor should be aware that strong winds near airport terminals are possible late Monday afternoon into early evening.

Drier and Slightly Cooler Later This Week

The pattern is expected to shift Tuesday as an eastern Pacific low-pressure system moves into the region. Conditions should dry out through the back half of the week, with highs easing to somewhere between 99 and 108 degrees by the weekend.

Triple-digit heat will continue, but the most intense heat risk is expected to ease somewhat.

There is one more thing to watch: as dry air moves in and winds increase later in the week, the weather service noted the potential for elevated fire weather conditions. The strength of those gusts remains uncertain, but it is worth monitoring as the week progresses.