Tucson gets one relatively calm day Wednesday, starting under clouds and temperatures around 57 degrees before clearing into a sunny afternoon near 76. The quiet spell will not last long, with strong east winds, blowing dust and a chance of rain taking over late Thursday through Saturday.
Strong East Winds Arrive Thursday Night
Thursday will be sunny and warmer, with a high near 84, but winds are expected to ramp up after 11 p.m. East winds could gust as high as 41 mph overnight before becoming even stronger Friday.
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory from late Thursday night through late Saturday morning. Forecasters expect east to southeast winds of 30 to 35 mph, with gusts of 50 to 60 mph possible in parts of Southeast Arizona, creating difficult conditions for high-profile vehicles and unsecured outdoor items.
Blowing Dust Could Complicate Friday Travel
Friday will remain sunny but windy, with a high near 78 and patchy blowing dust. Visibility could briefly drop below a mile in the strongest gusts, especially near terrain gaps and east-west valleys, so drivers should be ready for sudden dusty stretches.
Friday night brings a 30% chance of rain showers after the dust eases. Saturday will stay breezy with a high near 76 and another 30% chance of showers, followed by a slight chance of thunderstorms during the afternoon.
Sunshine Returns Sunday
The forecast settles down Sunday, when Tucson should see sunny skies and a high near 83. Monday looks warmer at around 86, while Tuesday remains mostly sunny with only a slight chance of evening showers.
