


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Phoenix, AZ
Issued by NWS Phoenix, AZ
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520 FXUS65 KPSR 042310 AFDPSR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 410 PM MST Fri Jul 4 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Temperatures warm through the remainder of the weekend with lower elevation highs hovering around 110 degrees by Sunday, resulting in widespread Moderate HeatRisk. - Further warming, and generally dry conditions, are expected into next week with highs pushing near 115 degrees for lower desert locations. && .SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Afternoon showers and storms are firing off in southeastern Arizona, but will remain well south of the region today, as much drier air behind the decaying trough has a firm grip over western and central Arizona. The exceptions to this will be around enhanced terrain features of far southeastern Gila and Maricopa Counties, where some very weak and short-lived showers may pop, but chances for these areas max out at around only 20%.Temperatures this afternoon will reach into the lower to mid-100`s across the lower deserts, with evening temperatures cooling into the mid to upper 90s. Building high pressure over Texas and Northern Mexico is projected to strengthen over the remainder of the weekend, helping to nudge the Pacific Low off to our west further north. This will translate to warming temperatures during this timeframe, with afternoon highs hovering near 110 degrees once again by Sunday. Global models do indicate another Pacific Low developing just off the California Coast by late Saturday, which presents an opportunity for a limit on how far the region warms up. However, by that point, the sub- tropical high will be the dominant feature and will help to stave off any further advance eastward of this follow-on disturbance, keeping us on an upward temperature trajectory. In terms of rainfall, the strengthening high and a relatively unimpressive moisture profile should suppress the development of convection for most, if not all, of the region. Only chances (20%) will be once again focused around high terrain areas. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Exiting the weekend, the sub-tropical high is expected to continue its westward migration while continuing to strengthen, resulting in a persistent warming trend into the start of next week. It appears that ensemble guidance has come into better agreement regarding where this ridge will setup and how far temperatures will rise. Previous runs had depicted discrepancies between the GFS and EPS, with the latter leaning drier and hotter. Well, it appears the GFS is now trending toward that drier and hotter solution. Heights aloft will push toward 597dm, translating to temperatures at the surface between 108-116 degrees through the middle portion of the week. In turn, areas of Major HeatRisk begin to develop as early as Monday, becoming more widespread by Wednesday. With increasing confidence and coverage of Major HeatRisk, Extreme Heat Products are likely to be issued over the next 12 to 24 hours. Along as the high sits directly overhead, and we do not see a better of influx of moisture, which does not appear will be the case, convection is likely to be suppressed across the vast majority of the region through at least the middle of next week, except the typical high terrain spots of eastern Arizona. && .AVIATION...Updated at 2310Z. South Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, KDVT: No major weather concerns will exist through Saturday afternoon under a few mid/high cloud decks. Uncertainty in overnight wind directions will be the greatest forecast challenge as some terminals may not truly complete an easterly switch overnight, rather staying variable through the morning hours. Confidence is good that a westerly component will settle across the area Saturday afternoon with limited gustiness. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: No weather concerns will exist through Saturday afternoon under clear skies. Confidence is very good that trends in wind speeds and directions will be similar to the past 24 hours, though gusts will likely be less pronounced. && .FIRE WEATHER... Near to below-normal temperatures will persist into the start of the weekend, with above-normal readings returning by Sunday. Some lingering moisture will result in relatively elevated MinRH values with readings between 20-25% in the eastern districts and 15-20% in the western zones. Overnight recoveries Friday night will offer some decent relief as readings hover between 40-60%. However, drier air will lead RH values on a quick decline as daily minimums fall to 10- 15% by Sunday. As expected, MaxRHs will follow a similar drying trend. Diurnal wind trends can be anticipated, with typical afternoon breeziness. Rainfall activity over the next several days will be quite limited, with only minimal chances (<10%) of wetting rains over the eastern districts. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Young/RW LONG TERM...RW AVIATION...18 FIRE WEATHER...RW