Clear skies and a cool start around 73°F at Phoenix Sky Harbor did not stick around for long Saturday, with temperatures already on a fast climb and the Valley headed for a hot afternoon high near 98°F. South-southeast breezes are set to ramp up through the afternoon and evening, with gusts commonly up to 20–25 mph. The main weekend concern is elevated to locally critical fire weather, especially on Sunday in higher-elevation areas where conditions will be both driest and gustiest.
Afternoon Heat And Gusts
Temperatures are rising quickly out of the mid-70s this morning into the mid-90s by midday, then peaking near 98°F during the mid-afternoon before briefly slipping back into the mid-90s later in the day. Winds stay on the lighter side early, then turn noticeably breezy from the south-southeast this afternoon, with gusts of about 20–25 mph in more exposed locations. This time of year, deeper mixing can nudge those gusts a bit higher in wide-open spots, adding some extra punch to the heat-driven breeze, according to near-100 heat and wind.
Fire Weather And Advisories
A pair of fast-moving systems will tighten pressure gradients and pull humidity down, triggering a Red Flag Warning for parts of the higher terrain on Sunday from 11 AM to 11 PM. Wind Advisories are also posted for portions of southeast California beginning this afternoon and lasting into Sunday night, where westerly gusts in the advised area could reach 40–55 mph. Around the Valley, gusts are expected to top out near 20–30 mph today and 25–40 mph on Sunday. For the latest watches and warnings, see NWS Phoenix.
What To Do
Secure loose outdoor furniture, umbrellas and tarps before this afternoon's gusts kick up, and skip any outdoor burning this weekend; in these dry, windy conditions, new fire starts can spread quickly. If you or someone you check on does not have reliable cooling, try to keep strenuous activity to early morning or evening hours and consider local cooling locations or calling 2-1-1 for assistance. Keep an eye on local alerts and official NWS updates if you have travel or outdoor plans that could be affected by the heat or wind.
