Hitting the 100s: Huge jump in temperatures in Phoenix area expected over the weekend
The National Weather Service in Phoenix said Valley residents could see high temperatures in the low 100s over the next few days, nearly 10 degrees above average for this time of year.
The change in weather was a sharp contrast to the cloudy skies and light rain seen around the Valley in previous days.
The high temperature for May 9 was expected to be about 101 degrees with sunny skies and winds traveling about 5 mph. The low for the evening was forecast to be nearly 77 degrees with calm winds blowing about 5 mph.
Temperatures for May 10 were expected to reach nearly 102 degrees with sunny skies and a breeze gusting between 10 mph and 15 mph. In the evening, the National Weather Service office in Phoenix predicted a low temperature around 79 degrees with winds moving between 5 mph and 10 mph.
The weather service estimated a high temperature of near 104 degrees for Mother's Day on May 11, with mostly sunny skies and winds moving between 10 mph and 15 mph. It was possible gusts could reach as high as 20 mph, the weather service said.
The low temperature predicted for that night was about 78 degrees with partly cloudy skies and winds blowing between 5 mph and 10 mph.
Temperatures were predicted to steadily drop starting May 12. The high temperature was predicted to be about 99 degrees with mostly sunny skies and winds moving between 5 mph and 10 mph, with the possibility of winds traveling as fast as 20 mph. The low temperature for May 12 was expected to be 72 degrees, with winds continuing to travel between 5 mph and 10 mph.
The high temperature forecast for May 13 was near 87 degrees, back to average for the season. The weather service said residents can expect mostly sunny skies and winds blowing between 5 mph and 10 mph, with the chance of gusts as high as 25 mph.
Matt Salerno, meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Phoenix, said large jumps in temperatures were common during the transition months between spring and summer. Weather systems progress through the region and drastically cool down the surrounding area, then as the storm passes, residents are met with a ridge of high pressure that gives the area a higher atmospheric pressure and more dry air.
Salerno said the current high-pressure ridge had the ability to heat the Phoenix area more efficiently, and with the changing angle of the sun moving into the summer months, the swing in temperature was not a surprise for the weather service office.
Salerno encouraged Valley residents to practice heat safety during the transition into hotter months. He recommended taking frequent breaks in the shade or indoors and stressed the importance of caution as the Valley starts seeing temperatures consistently in the 100s.
Sneak peek: Phoenix opens 24/7 heat relief center for families, unhoused and pets
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Triple-digit weather expected in metro Phoenix over the weekend
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
41 minutes ago
- Associated Press
The National Weather Service issues Alaska's first ever heat advisory
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — For the first time ever, parts of Alaska will be under a heat advisory — but you can put an asterisk at the end of that term. It's not the first instance of unusually high temperatures in what many consider the nation's coldest state, but the National Weather Service only recently allowed for heat advisories to be issued there. Information on similarly warm weather conditions previously came in the form of 'special weather statements.' Using the heat advisory label could help people better understand the weather's severity and potential danger, something a nondescript 'special weather statement' didn't convey. The first advisory is for Sunday in Fairbanks, where temperatures are expected to top 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). Fairbanks has has been warmer in the past, but this is unusual for June, officials said. Here's what to know about Alaska's inaugural heat advisory: Why it's the first The National Weather Service's switch from special weather statements to advisories was meant to change how the public views the information. 'This is an important statement, and the public needs to know that there will be increasing temperatures, and they could be dangerous because Alaska is not used to high temperatures like these,' said Alekya Srinivasan, a Fairbanks-based meteorologist. 'We want to make sure that we have the correct wording and the correct communication when we're telling people that it will be really hot this weekend,' she said. Not unprecedented and not climate change The change doesn't reflect unprecedented temperatures, with Fairbanks having reached 90 degrees twice in 2024, Srinivasan said. It's purely an administrative change by the weather service. 'It's not that the heat in the interior that prompted Fairbanks to issue this is record heat or anything like that. It's just now there's a product to issue,' said Rich Thoman, a climate specialist at the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy. Thoman also clarified that the term swap doesn't have anything to do with climate change. 'I think some of it is related to the recognition that hot weather does have an impact on Alaska, and in the interior especially,' Thoman said. Little air conditioning While the temperatures in the forecast wouldn't be considered extreme in other U.S. states, Thoman noted that most Alaska buildings don't have air conditioning. 'And just the opposite, most buildings in Alaska are designed to retain heat for most of the year,' he said. People can open their windows to allow cooler air in during early morning hours — if wildfires aren't burning in blaze-prone state. But if it's smoky and the windows have to remain shut, buildings can heat up very rapidly. 'Last year was the third year in a row in Fairbanks with more than a hundred hours of visibility-reducing smoke, the first time we've ever had three consecutive years over a hundred hours,' he said. There's only been two summers in Fairbanks in the 21st century with no hours of smoke that reduced visibility, a situation he said was commonplace from the 1950s to the 1970s. What about Anchorage? The Juneau and Fairbanks weather service offices have been allowed to issue heat advisories beginning this summer, but not the office in the state's largest city of Anchorage — at least not yet. And, regardless, temperatures in the area haven't reached the threshold this year at which a heat advisory would be issued. Brian Brettschneider, a climate scientist with the weather service, said by email that the Anchorage office is working on a plan to issue such advisories in the future.
CBS News
44 minutes ago
- CBS News
Storm outbreak June 13, 2025
A round of summer storms moved through Colorado on June 13, prompting several severe weather and tornado warnings. A round of summer storms moved through Colorado on June 13, prompting several severe weather and tornado warnings. A round of summer storms moved through Colorado on June 13, prompting several severe weather and tornado warnings. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
National Weather Service issues multiple tornado warnings in Colorado
Another round of summer storms moved into Colorado on Friday afternoon, bringing the chance of scattered hail, strong wind gusts and frequent lightning. National Weather Service The NWS said the severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for much of northeastern Colorado through 10 p.m. As of 4:30 p.m., they have issued two tornado warnings in connection with the storm, one in Adams County and one affecting the areas around Lochbuie and Hudson. Both warnings expired at 4:30 p.m. National Weather Service A special weather statement warned that a possible landspout may touch down near Limon and Genoa. The warning is in effect until 5:15 p.m. National Weather Service A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Adams, Morgan and Weld Counties until 5 p.m. Last Chance, Colo., is under a severe thunderstorm warning until 5:15 p.m. This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
