Phoenix is bracing for a sweltering week ahead, with temperatures projected to soar into the triple digits according to the latest weather forecast. Today, the city is experiencing blistering heat with the mercury reaching up to 111 degrees. The heat index, a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature, could climb as high, as 114. These conditions are exacerbated by an east wind shifting west in the afternoon.
Residents should prepare for possible showers and thunderstorms this evening, with a 30 percent chance of precipitation, mainly before midnight. The National Weather Service also warns of the potential for patchy blowing dust before 9pm. Tonight's low is expected to hover around a warm 89 degrees, with wind shifts from the east-southeast to north-northwest, that could gust as high as 25 mph.
Looking into Thursday, there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 am along with the possibility of patchy blowing dust after 5pm. Despite that, it will remain mostly sunny and hot, with temperatures peaking near 110 degrees and heat index values matching today's extreme. Winds are forecasted to be light and variable before becoming west-southwest in the afternoon.
The odds of rain increase slightly to 40 percent Thursday night, with showers and thunderstorms predicted before 11pm, and dust before 7pm. The nighttime respite from the heat will be minimal, with a low of around 90 degrees. Winds from the north northeast, are expected to settle down after midnight, but could still reach gusts up to 20 mph.
The rest of the week doesn't offer much in the way of relief. Friday's forecast is sunny and hot with highs again around 110 degrees, while Friday night carries a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. The weekend continues the trend with high temperatures of 108 on Saturday and 107 on Sunday, with only minimal night cooling.
Early next week, Phoenix residents can anticipate persistent heat with mostly sunny skies and highs lingering around 107 degrees. Nighttime might bring a slight chance of thunderstorms on Tuesday. For a full breakdown of the week's weather, visit the National Weather Service for up-to-date information.
