Arizona weather forecast: This week's warm-up peaks on Thursday in Phoenix
Windy and warm weather in the Phoenix area
FOX 10's Erica Horvatin has the details on our triple-digit temperatures along with some wind gusts sweeping through.
PHOENIX - Thursday was the hottest day of the week, reaching a high of 108 in Phoenix.
Today:
An Air Quality Alert is in effect for Maricopa County, due to high levels of ozone pollution. There may be another air quality alert Friday as well. Children, elderly, anyone with asthma, lung or heart disease, should avoid long durations outside.
Light showers and thunderstorms made their way southward through the Gila Mountains, near Safford Thursday evening, and rain will come to an end by around 9 PM. Skies will be dry overnight.
Tomorrow and the Weekend:
Temperatures will fall to around 81 degrees in the Valley by Friday morning, before warming to 107 Friday afternoon. Skies will be sunny and dry across Arizona. There may be some light sprinkles and virga over southeast Arizona. Winds will become breezy across the state Friday afternoon and evening.
Temperatures will taper off a couple of degrees over the weekend. Clouds will push across Arizona Saturday through Sunday morning. The winds will be breezy each afternoon and evening across the state. The winds in the Valley will be at about 15 to 25 mph, with the strongest gusts during the evenings.
The strongest winds will be in northern Arizona, up to around 35 mph. Northwest Arizona is under a fire weather watch for Saturday and Sunday, due to gusty winds and very dry air. The winds in the Valley will be at about 15 to 25 mph, with the strongest gusts during the evenings.
Looking Further Ahead:
Next week the forecast remains very consistent with highs near 105 each day in the Valley. It still appears mostly dry around Arizona, too.
You can always check the latest weather conditions by visiting the FOX 10 Phoenix weather page, or download the Free FOX 10 Weather app, which is available on Apple iOS and Android.
Scroll down this page for satellite and radar, day planner, records, current temperatures, 10-day forecast, forecast highs, and recent rainfall totals, plus live video feeds.
The following heat safety information was provided by the Scottsdale Fire Department.
What are Heat Emergencies?
Heat Cramps: Profuse sweating, fatigue, extreme thirst, muscle cramps
Heat Exhaustion: Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea/vomit, Cool/moist skin
Heat Stroke: Elevated temp. +103degrees, confusion/irrational behavior, dry/hot skin, rapid shallow breathing, rapid weak pulse (shock), seizures, unconscious
What to do
- Get person into shade or cool location.
- Cool person with cool, wet cloths (neck, groin, armpits, head) and fan body.
- Sip cool water if person is alert.
- For muscle cramps, massage muscles gently, but firmly until relaxed.
- *If symptoms worsen, call 911.
What not to do
- Do not give anything by mouth if person is vomiting, unable to swallow or unconscious.
- Do not underestimate the seriousness of a heat emergency.
- Prevention/Preparation for hike/exercise in heat.
Know your limitations
- Hydrate (begins day prior to hike/exercise, hour before hike, during and after).
- Wear proper clothing, lightweight and light color, protect head, proper shoes.
- Always carry a cell phone and best to hike with company.
- Always tell someone where you are hiking and when to plan to return.
Preventing heat exhaustion/heat stroke
The Arizona Department of Health Services stated the following precautions can be taken to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke:
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings.
- Find a cooling center/hydration station.
- Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day (mid-day).
- Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors at least twice a day.
- Drink water before, during, and after working or exercising outside.
- Check the UV Index.
- Check the heat risk map.
Road Conditions
- Call 511 anywhere in Arizona or 1-888-411-ROAD (7623)
The Source: Information for this article was gathered by the FOX 10 Weather Experts.