The city of Phoenix is prepping for a stretch of sizzling days ahead, according to recent forecasts. The National Weather Service predicts a continuing trend of clear skies and escalating temperatures, with today's high shooting near 87 and calm winds shifting west. Gusts might surge up to 18 mph, providing residents with a momentary respite from the heat.

Looking at the week ahead, the mercury is only going to climb. A high near 91 is expected for Friday and it’s just the beginning of the upward trend. By Saturday, temperatures are set to reach a sweltering 94 degrees, coupled with light winds that could gust as high as 26 mph, becoming calm by Saturday night, with a low dipping around 67, as per the forecaster's announcement.

Sunday won’t be offering any reprieve, with a forecasted high near 96 degrees, while Sunday night's low hovers at a moderate 70. The week is bound to culminate in what can only be termed as a furnace-like experience. Monday through Wednesday consistently promises highs flirting with the high nineties.

FOX 10 Phoenix echoes this hot forecast, with its hourly breakdown showing temperatures steadily rising through the morning from 64° at 5 a.m. to a peak of 87° later in the afternoon. This pattern of intense heat is set to linger throughout the coming days, possibly breaching the 100-degree mark by next Thursday. Even in the dead of night, the city is barely cooling down, with lows expected only to drop to the low seventies.

Residents are advised to take precautionary measures to combat the impending heat wave. Hydration and the respite of shade become not mere advisories but necessities as Phoenix enters into this dome of dry warmth. It's a reminder for locals and visitors alike to pace themselves, plan outdoor activities during cooler hours, and always wear sun protection when they're braving the outdoors under the unyielding sun.