Is relief in sight? Phoenix area sees 60% chance of rain, drop in temperatures this weekend
Even with excessive heat warnings in place until Saturday night, the weekend's weather forecast predicts slightly cooler highs and the highest chance for thunderstorms so far this monsoon season.
On Friday morning, a daily low of 93 degrees was reported. If this remains through midnight Friday, this will be a new daily warm low, surpassing the previous mark of 92 degrees set in 2019.
Thursday morning was the first time in 16 days that metro Phoenix lows finally cooled to a temperature under 90 degrees, coming in at 89 degrees. These lows followed a monsoon storm that hit the Valley on Wednesday night.
As for highs, Friday afternoon continued the record-breaking streak of consecutive over-110-degree temperatures with a high of 113 degrees. Friday soared Phoenix into 29 straight days of extreme over 110-degree heat, further breaking the previous record set in 1974 with 18 consecutive days, according to the National Weather Service.
For Friday evening, a 30-50% chance of gusty winds is forecast from 5-9 p.m. for the Phoenix area. A 20% chance of rainstorms is also forecast.
Saturday is predicted to bring the end of the excessive heat warning at 8 p.m., but not without another day of high temperatures. The afternoon is forecast to bring Phoenix into day 30 of consecutive over-110-degree temperatures with a high of 114 degrees and a low of 92 degrees.
But more monsoon rains may be on the way as Saturday brings a 30% chance of precipitation. That number shoots up to 60% that evening. Showers are most likely to occur before 9 a.m., after 4 p.m. and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 p.m.
On Sunday the rainy weekend continues with a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms all day into the evening. The temperatures will slightly drop from the harsh heat the last few weeks with a forecast high of 110 degrees and a low of 90 degrees.
Maricopa County officials announced on Thursday an ozone high pollution advisory that is set to begin on Friday and expire on Sunday. Residents are advised to limit their driving and carpool to lessen the amount of emissions in the area; other measures such as avoiding waiting in long-drive thru lines and refueling vehicles when temperatures are cooler were also recommended.
If the forecast rings true, Monday will be the day that finally breaks Phoenix's over-110-degree streak with a forecast high of 107 degrees and a low of 88 degrees. Along with this drop in temperatures comes breezy winds and a 60% chance of showers and a thunderstorm before 11 a.m. and into the later afternoon.
That evening, the chance shoots up to 70% with storms especially likely after 11 p.m., and heavy wind gusts up to 20 mph are predicted.
A lower chance of showers is forecast until midweek when temperatures will begin to rise again.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix-area weather: Rain and temperature drop likely this weekend
