Phoenix is launching the "Shade Phoenix Plan," which includes planting over 27,000 trees, building 500 shade structures, installing reflective roofs, resurfacing roads, and adding green stormwater systems. The plan is expected to save energy, extend infrastructure life, and improve public health. Mayor Kate Gallego said, "as a desert community, building resilience to extreme heat is a top priority" and "We will continue to innovate to make our neighborhoods cooler and more comfortable, including implementing ‘smart’ surfaces and building materials," according to ABC15.
Phoenix is facing a change in weather as a storm system is expected to bring rain starting on Saturday morning and temperatures dropping to the low 70s, possibly upper 60s into next week. "We’re going to be looking at unsettled weather setting in for this weekend," said Isaac Smith, a National Weather Service meteorologist, as reported by KTAR.
The rain, the first significant precipitation since mid-October, has forced the cancellation of the AZ Barrels Bottles & Brews festival and could total up to an inch in some areas. Meanwhile, the city continues its efforts to implement heat mitigation technologies, balancing development with sustainability despite the temporary weather disruption.
