Elevated temperatures expected in Arizona, metro Phoenix after cooler Labor Day weekend
Despite the cooler weather seen throughout Labor Day weekend, high temperatures and heat risks are expected to make a comeback.
According to the National Weather Service in Phoenix, temperatures are expected to gradually rise above the seasonal norms by the latter half of the week, potentially hitting near-record levels by the weekend. If that was not enough, heat risks are expected for many areas in the state.
"We're looking for temperatures to be warming through the week," said Mark O'Malley of the weather service. "Today [Tuesday] will be the coolest day with high temperatures only around 100 degrees around the Phoenix area. However we will be warming, possibly reaching close to 100 degrees and record levels have a chance this weekend."
The start of the week has temperatures near the low 100s, with Tuesday expecting a high of 103 degrees, at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. But that number is not expected until the later half of the day. Other cities like Globe, Yuma, and El Centro have expected highs in the mid-to-late 90s.
Tuesday morning felt cooler because of a decline in humidity levels, with morning lows recorded in the upper 60 and upper 70 degrees, according to a tweet from the weather service.
A minor heat risk is in effect through Wednesday as the temperatures gradually increase. Come Thursday and Friday, where temperatures are projected to hit just below 110 degrees in Phoenix, a moderate heat risk will be in effect.
The lower deserts of the Grand Canyon state are expected to experience record heat and dry conditions this upcoming weekend. As a result, Saturday and Sunday are likely to have a widespread major heat risk in place.
O'Malley suggests that residents continue to use their summer precautions for the upcoming weekend.
"Just because we're into September doesn't mean it cannot get hot," O'Malley said. "We recommend people do any outdoor activities early in the morning or after the sun sets in the evening, and take plenty of breaks inside the air conditioning during the heat of the day."
With these warmer temperatures making a comeback, there is a "near zero" chance of rain over the next several days, according to the Phoenix office's discussion blog.
These high temperatures continued after Phoenix experienced the hottest summer on record, where the mean daily average was 97 degrees. The last record was in 2020, where the mean daily average was 96.7 degrees.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Heat risks in place in Arizona after cooler Labor Day weekend
