842
FXUS65 KPSR 081736
AFDPSR
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1036 AM MST Mon Jun 8 2026
.UPDATE...Updated 18z Aviation Discussion.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Near to slightly above normal temperatures will persist through
the first half of the week before warming up towards the end of
the week into next weekend as readings approach 110 degrees
across portions of the region.
- Breezy conditions will continue through Tuesday, particularly
across the Arizona higher terrain areas, resulting in elevated
fire weather conditions.
- Seasonably dry conditions will persist through the next several
days.
&&
.SHORT TERM /Today through Tuesday/...
A broad troughing pattern remains in across the western CONUS
with a shortwave progressing northeastward through southwestern
Canada with another shortwave set to move in over the Pacific
Northwest later today. As a result of this troughing pattern,
enough of a pressure gradient remains in place across the region,
and thus enhanced afternoon breeziness will remain in place
through Tuesday as gusts peak at 20-25 mph, highest across the
higher terrain areas to the north and east of Phoenix. The
elevated gusts in combination with relative humidity values
bottoming out near 10% and the very dry fuels will continue to
result in elevated fire weather conditions. Under the influence of
the broad troughing pattern enveloping the western CONUS,
afternoon high temperatures today and Tuesday will continue to be
near to slightly above normal as lower desert highs will range
between 100-105F.
&&
.LONG TERM /Wednesday through Sunday/...
The synoptic pattern through the middle to latter half of the
week will be transitioning as the longwave trough will lift east
northeastward, allowing upper-level ridging to take hold across
much of the western CONUS. As a result, upper-level heights will
be on the rise with the latest guidance indicating 500 mb heights
increasing to near 590dm by the end of the week into next
weekend. This will allow for temperatures to warm up into an above
normal category, potentially as high as 5-8 degrees above normal.
This means that many of the lower desert communities will be
approaching 110 degrees for afternoon highs as early as Friday and
continuing into the weekend.
In addition to the increasing temperatures, guidance is also showing
an increase in moisture by the end of the week and the weekend as
southerly mid-level flow increases. The latest EPS and GEFS show
PWATs increasing as high 1.0-1.2" across much of southern AZ. This
increase in moisture would certainly be enough for some isolated
convection to materialize across the AZ high terrain and will be
something to monitor during the next several forecast cycles.
&&
.AVIATION...Updated at 1736Z.
South Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT:
No aviation weather impacts expected through Tuesday under mostly
clear skies. Winds will continue to mostly follow typical diurnal
trends. A period of southerly crosswinds are expected at KPHX and
KDVT midday through early afternoon before W-SW becomes more
predominant. There is some uncertainty in whether the diurnal E
winds will fully develop early Tuesday morning at all terminals,
but speeds will be very light in the morning. This afternoon, wind
speeds up to 8-13 kts with gusts up to 15-20 kts are expected.
Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:
No major aviation weather concerns are expected during the next 24
hours. Winds will follow familiar diurnal trends at KIPL, while
KBLH sees a more consistent S`rly component that will become
breezy (20-25 kt gusts) during this afternoon. Other than some
high clouds moving in later in the period, skies will be mostly
clear.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Elevated fire weather conditions will persist through Tuesday as
elevated breeziness combine with very low RH values. Afternoon
breeziness will peak at 20-25 mph, highest across the AZ higher
terrain areas. MinRHs will bottom out near 10% with poor overnight
recoveries. Heading towards the middle to latter half of the work
week, winds will be lighter, decreasing the overall fire weather
threat. However, with MinRHs continuing to bottom out in the
single digits to lower teens, even some marginal breeziness can
create localized elevated fire weather conditions.
&&
.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...None.
CA...None.
&&
$$
SHORT TERM...Lojero
LONG TERM...Lojero
AVIATION...Benedict/RW
FIRE WEATHER...Lojero/RW
NWS Phoenix (PSR) Office