Phoenix is baking under sunny skies today with a high near 111°F and heat index values as high as 113°F — and even after sunset there’s little relief, with tonight’s low only around 91°F, a heat index near 110°F, and a slight chance of a stray shower or thunderstorm between 9 and 10 PM. Limit outdoor exertion to the early morning, drink water constantly, and check on elderly neighbors — this is dangerous heat, not just a hot day.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service in Phoenix says a strong cap is holding storms out of the lower deserts today, so Chase Field, downtown, and most of the Valley should stay dry and sunny straight through the afternoon. The main thunderstorm action is over higher terrain and Southeast Arizona instead. Forecasters note the eastern half of the metro — Maricopa and Pinal Counties — has a slightly better shot at an isolated storm tonight if gusty outflow can trigger something, but confidence stays low, around 15-20%.
Best Window To Be Outside
Get outside before 8 AM if you’re headed to Camelback Mountain or South Mountain — with lows only in the upper 80s to low 90s overnight, there’s no real overnight cooldown to bank on. Midday and afternoon hours near 111°F are genuinely dangerous for hiking; save any evening activity for after sunset.
Rain, Wind, Fire, Or Heat Risk
The Weather Prediction Center has the Southwest, including Arizona, under a Marginal Risk for excessive rainfall today, tied to the broader monsoon pattern, though Phoenix itself likely stays on the drier edge of that risk. The bigger near-term hazard locally is gusty outflow winds and blowing dust if storms fire nearby — if a dust wall approaches while you’re driving, pull over, put the car in park, and wait it out. The NWS expects monsoon rain chances to expand more meaningfully into the lower deserts by late this weekend into early next week.
What To Wear Or Bring
Sun protection is non-negotiable at 111°F — a UV protection sun hat earns its keep today, and if you want a steal, we spotted a UPF 50+ Sun Hoodie for just $5 this week for anyone fishing or working outside. Pack a hard cooler 52 quart with extra water and ice for any outdoor plans, and hold off on mowing or yard work until evening.
Tonight’s Games & Events
The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight at Chase Field — the retractable roof keeps gameday weather out of the equation, so grab Official team gear on Fanatics before first pitch. Outdoors, Kali Uchis plays Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre tonight (Get tickets on SeatGeek) and O.A.R.’s Three Decades Tour hits Arizona Financial Theatre (Find tickets on StubHub) — both venues will still feel triple-digit at showtime, so hydrate before you head out.
Dinner Tonight
With the heat lingering well into the evening, a light pasta dish or a quick stir-fry beats turning on the oven tonight. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door — Amazon Fresh groceries make it easy to skip a hot grocery run.
Next Few Days
Saturday looks nearly identical — sunny, a high near 112°F, and another low-percentage storm chance. Families have Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire at Desert Diamond Arena Saturday, and the Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships arrive at Mortgage Matchup Center Sunday. The NWS expects monsoon moisture to push further into the Valley by early next week, so keep an eye on rising rain chances heading into the Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire concert on August 11.
