On Thursday, Phoenix starts cool and partly cloudy with temperatures in the mid-40s at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, warming into the mid-60s by the afternoon before dropping to around 42 overnight. A fast-moving Pacific system may bring a slight chance of spotty showers late Thursday night into Friday, mainly over higher terrain.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Southwest winds will crank up this afternoon, with most Valley gusts in the 20-30 mph range and stronger bursts around 25-40 mph likely in exposed desert corridors and over prominent terrain. The strongest winds are most likely overnight, but daytime mixing should keep the metro from seeing widespread top-end gusts. The National Weather Service in Phoenix reports no active wind advisories for most of central Arizona today, although Wind Advisories remain in place for higher terrain across southeast California.
Chance Of Late Night Showers
There is a chance of light rain showers between roughly 9 p.m. on Thursday and 5 a.m. on Friday, with the best odds over the foothills and mountains. Most lower-desert neighborhoods should stay dry or pick up only a brief sprinkle. New rainfall totals are expected to remain under one tenth of an inch, and any snow will be confined to the highest peaks with little accumulation. Plan for a light jacket for the evening chill and give yourself extra time if your late-night plans take you into the hills.
Weekend Outlook
Drier weather returns for the weekend along with a quick warm-up, with highs near 73°F on Saturday and rising into the low 80s by Sunday. Mid-80s are on the table by early next week. Morning radiational cooling on Saturday could still push temperatures near or below freezing in some higher-elevation valleys east of Phoenix, including Globe, San Carlos and parts of the Tonto Basin, so protect tender plants if you live in those colder pockets. See this earlier warm-up breakdown for related context on the timing of the heat.
Secure loose outdoor items, especially this afternoon, and allow extra time on the commute in case of sudden gusts or brief pockets of blowing dust. Check the latest forecast before heading out and be ready to adjust plans if you are driving through higher terrain late Thursday night.
