Phoenix is starting Monday under clear skies before temperatures climb to about 83 degrees, keeping the Valley in its sunny early-November groove. Winds should remain light from the east at about 5 mph, with no rain expected during the day. After sunset, temperatures will slide toward a comfortable 59 degrees under clear skies. The National Weather Service forecast for Phoenix calls for the high, wind and overnight low.
Sunny 80s Hold Through Veterans Day
The warm, dry pattern sticks around Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs near 83 and sunny skies both days. Tuesday night is forecast to dip to about 59, and Wednesday night to about 61. East-northeast winds around 5 mph are expected Tuesday, becoming calm; Wednesday’s light east-northeast wind is forecast to become calm in the morning. Early-morning walkers and commuters may still want a light layer before the afternoon warmth arrives. The NWS Phoenix forecast gives the midweek temperatures and wind outlook.
Thursday looks like the warmest day of the stretch, reaching about 85 degrees under clear skies. Friday stays sunny and mild near 82. The NWS Phoenix forecast calls for highs of 85 Thursday and 82 Friday.
Weekend Cooldown
Weekend temperatures are expected to be cooler than earlier in the week, with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms Saturday and a high near 78. Sunday is forecast to be sunny with a 10% chance of showers and a high near 77. The NWS Phoenix forecast includes the weekend shower chances and cooler highs.
Salt And Gila Rivers Still Running High
A Flood Warning is in effect for flooding caused by upstream releases on the Salt River below Granite Reef Dam until 11 a.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service says flooding is occurring at low-water crossings upstream of Tempe Town Lake, including McKellips Road. Flows on the Salt and Gila rivers are expected to remain elevated through at least midweek because of recent upstream dam releases. Clear weather does not make fast-moving water safe, so residents should avoid riverbanks, low-water crossings and any posted closures. The active NWS warning for Maricopa County details the Salt River flooding; the NWS Phoenix discussion gives the midweek river outlook.
The high water follows an unusually wet fall across the Salt and Verde watersheds. Salt River Project says October and November inflows reached a record high for the watersheds—about eight times average—and its reservoir system captured roughly 120 billion gallons during the recent runoff event. Reservoir storage rose from 53% full on Nov. 1 to 70% on Nov. 6, while controlled releases helped manage the inflows. SRP’s account of the runoff and reservoir levels puts the continuing river flows in context.
High-Water Safety
The Maricopa County Flood Control District warns that water may continue flowing through washes, rivers and flood-control channels even after rain stops. Residents should not assume these areas are safe just because rainfall has ended.
Flood danger can persist even when Phoenix skies are clear: the hazard is moving water, not just rain falling nearby. Maricopa County says six inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet, while a foot of water can carry away a car; depth and hidden debris may be difficult to judge. The county’s guidance is to stay out of moving or standing floodwater and never drive through it. Maricopa County’s flood-safety guidance spells out the risks.
