NWS Forecast Office Phoenix, AZ

High pressure over the region will allow temperatures to remain well-above normal during the next couple of days leading to widespread Moderate HeatRisk with areas of Major HeatRisk. A very gradual cooling trend is then expected by the end of the week and upcoming weekend. Practice smart heat safety by drinking plenty of water and electrolytes and reducing your time outside during the afternoons.

Isolated to widely scattered storms will develop once again across the eastern third of AZ this afternoon, with some of the activity affecting southern Gila County. Gusty winds and dry lightning will be the main hazards with any storms. There will be a better chance for a few outflow boundaries to survive into the lower deserts, resulting in gusty winds and patchy blowing dust.

A more active monsoonal pattern is likely to setup over the Desert Southwest, especially heading into this weekend and next week. Through Friday, any storm activity will be confined mainly across the higher terrain areas of eastern and southeastern AZ with the potential for outflow boundaries to impact the lower deserts with gusty winds and patchy blowing dust. Thereafter, as high pressure shifts to the northeast into the Rockies and Plains this weekend into early next week, enhanced moisture influx into the Desert Southwest is expected. This will lead to a much more favorable pattern for storm activity to become more widespread and affect the lower deserts.