Phoenix woke up warm and dry on Thursday, April 9, with clear skies, low humidity, and temperatures near 70°F at Sky Harbor. Under that bright desert sun, the Valley will heat up in a hurry, with afternoon highs landing in the mid-90s and only modest relief after dark. Keep water handy and try to knock out outdoor errands in the coolest parts of the day.
Afternoon Heat Peaks Near 95°F
The National Weather Service is calling for a high near 95°F in Phoenix on Thursday, April 9, with south-southeast winds around 0 to 10 mph and afternoon relative humidity dropping into the teens, according to NWS Phoenix. Overnight lows will linger in the mid-60s, which means homes, people, and pets without strong cooling options will not get much of a break overnight.
Cooling Resources and What To Do
The City of Phoenix keeps a network of cooling centers and extended-hour respite sites running as part of its 2026 Heat Response Plan. It is worth checking locations and hours before you head out, according to the City of Phoenix. If you do not have reliable air conditioning, you can call 2-1-1 or use the city’s heat-relief map, and try to push any strenuous activity into the early morning or later evening.
Weekend Wind and Cooler Temperatures
A Pacific disturbance will shave a few degrees off the high temperatures this weekend, with upper 80s expected Saturday and low 80s on Sunday, while southwest winds pick up. Gusts could reach around 25 mph across the Valley, with even stronger gusts over higher terrain. A deeper trough Monday into Tuesday delivers the biggest cooldown of the stretch, dropping lower-desert highs into the low-to-mid 70s and bringing a slight chance of showers on the northern fringe, according to NWS Phoenix.
Plan Ahead
Before the winds kick up, secure loose patio furniture and anything else that might go flying, drink plenty of water, and keep pets off hot pavement and out of the midday sun. If you need an air-conditioned place to cool off, call 2-1-1 or check the City of Phoenix heat page for cooling centers and hydration stations, according to the City of Phoenix.
