'Very tranquil' Thanksgiving week expected for Arizona after tornado hits Star Valley

Clear skies and tranquil weather were expected throughout Arizona for Thanksgiving week, bringing an ideal forecast for travel and outdoor plans.

Residents were expected to enjoy temperatures within average levels and uninterrupted sunshine, said meteorologist Matthew Hirsch with the National Weather Service in Phoenix. Driving conditions were also expected to be great for residents planning to travel across the state over the long weekend, with no hazardous conditions predicted.

"We're expecting very tranquil conditions, with temperatures pretty close to normal for this time of the year," Hirsch said. "In general, we're not expecting any strong winds, or any thunderstorms, or any hazardous conditions here in Phoenix."

Monday's low temperature for the Phoenix area was expected to be in the mid-50s, while highs were expected to reach 74 degrees. For the remainder of the week, highs were expected to hang around the 70s, and lows were expected to remain in the low to mid-50s.

With much drier air moving across the region, no rain was expected to reach the Valley in the upcoming days, Hirsch said.

"There's really no rain on the radars at all. Generally, chances will be pretty close to zero," Hirsch said.

Slightly breezy conditions were the only thing residents might need to prepare for, Hirsch said, with the strongest winds expected along the vicinity of the Lower Colorado River Valley.

Tucson was expected to enjoy similar conditions, with sunny skies expected for each day and normal temperatures.

Highs were expected to be in the upper 60s for Monday, then reach the 70s in the middle of the week, and finally drop again into the 60s by the weekend.

"It's gonna be a lot like Phoenix, no rain is expected and it will be mostly sunny for most of the day," Hirsch said.

According to meteorologist Lamont Bain with the weather service in Flagstaff, northern Arizona was also expected to receive a calm week with climate activity unwinding.

Besides a few isolated showers, no rain or snow was expected to hit the area, Bain said. However, the National Weather Service forecast a 20% chance of snow showers for Friday. Temperatures for the area were forecast to reach the upper 40s to low 50s for highs and dip into the teens and lower 20s overnight.

Friday was expected to be the coldest day of the week, with the high forecast to reach 46 degrees.

After a tornado hit Star Valley on Sunday, leaving several damaged homes, Bain said, strong winds and thunderstorms were not likely to make another appearance in Arizona this week.

The weather service in Flagstaff sent a team to survey the town, just east of Payson, on Sunday afternoon and determined the area received damage consistent with an EF-1 tornado.

Peak winds ranged between 95 and 105 mph, Bain said.

Bain said although residents should not worry about any more hazardous weather for the next several days, he advised residents to prepare for the wintry temperatures expected to hit the area at night.

"Just be smart, make sure you have your hoses and stuff pulled in, things that are prone to freezing, totally bring those in or cover them up," Bain said.

Temperatures were expected to drop to below-normal levels by next weekend, with temperatures across the Valley struggling to reach 70 degrees for highs, according to the weather service's predictions.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pleasant weather forecast across Arizona for Thanksgiving