As of 5:40 a.m. MST Tuesday, June 23, Phoenix Sky Harbor was already sitting at mostly clear skies and about 88°F, a warm start to what will be a dangerously hot run of days. The Valley is sliding into a stretch of extreme heat, with several afternoons this week forecast to climb into the low 110s while nights offer only marginal cooling. Overnight lows are expected to stay stuck in the 80s across much of the lower desert, which means relief will be hard to come by for many neighborhoods.
What To Expect
Highs near 111°F are forecast for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with the hottest afternoons expected Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25. Winds should be light early in the week, then gust into the 20 to 25 mph range by Thursday and Friday, a shift that will dry things out further and increase fire risk. The National Weather Service Phoenix has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for the metro from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 8 p.m. Thursday.
Heat Safety And Cooling Options
Reschedule strenuous outdoor activity for early morning or after sunset, and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Keep an eye out for signs of heat illness in yourself and others, such as dizziness, headache or confusion, and take breaks in the shade or indoors whenever possible. Never leave children or pets in parked vehicles, even for a short time, and check on older neighbors who may be especially vulnerable in this kind of heat.
For free cooling centers, water and transportation options, call 2-1-1 or consult the Maricopa County Heat Relief Toolkit for locations and updated details.
Fire Weather And The Weekend
By the end of the week, offshore and downslope winds and drier air are expected to push humidity lower and elevate fire danger across parts of the region. Breezy afternoon and evening gusts Friday through Sunday could make yardwork and open flames risky, so avoid outdoor burning and follow local restrictions closely. Keep an eye on local alerts if you have weekend plans near open spaces or dry brush.
Quick takeaway: avoid heavy exertion in the midafternoon on Wednesday and Thursday, and move outdoor activities to the coolest parts of the day. We will update this post if watches or warnings change.
