Phoenix is under a sunny sky today with a high near 113°F, and the National Weather Service has an Extreme Heat Warning in effect for the Valley, with heat index values as high as 116 — keep outdoor time to the early morning or after sunset and check on elderly neighbors.
Today’s Setup
A sprawling subtropical high parked over the Southwest is the culprit, and per the National Weather Service Phoenix office, guidance confidence has increased that many lower-elevation communities — including central Phoenix — will touch 115°F today and Saturday. Overnight lows aren’t offering much relief either, staying mostly clear and only dropping to around 93°F, with wind staying light out of the west-southwest at 0 to 5 mph.
Best Window To Be Outside
If you’re heading to Papago Park, the Tempe Town Lake path, or the Camelback Mountain trailheads, aim for sunrise to around 8 AM before pavement and rock start radiating serious heat. Saturday’s forecast climbs even higher to 115°F with gusty southwest wind up to 30 mph in the afternoon, so push any hikes or yard work even earlier that day.
Rain, Wind, Fire, Or Heat Risk
The same high pressure keeping us hot is also squashing monsoon storm chances — the Weather Service says thunderstorm development will stay minimal today. Confidence for Sunday’s forecast actually drops, since Saturday night’s storm outflows elsewhere could drag in cloud cover and shift temperatures. The bigger near-term story stays heat, not rain: this is genuinely dangerous territory for anyone without AC or shade.
What To Wear Or Bring
A UV protection sun hat and men’s sport sandals go a long way on midday errands, and an insulated tumbler 30oz keeps water cold for hours in the car. If you’re doing yardwork, this is also a smart week to swap in a drought resistant seed mix rather than fighting the heat with thirstier plants. For sun coverage on the water or trail, Score a UPF 50+ Sun Hoodie for Just $5 This Fishing Season is worth a look too.
Around Town This Week
Downtown is busy despite the heat: CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso’s Free Spirits World Tour hits Arizona Financial Theatre tonight, and Les Miserables continues its run at Phoenix Theatre-AZ tonight as well — both indoor venues, a nice break from the heat. Grab tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub if you’re heading out. Looking ahead, Lindsey Stirling’s Duality Untamed Tour stops at Arizona Financial Theatre on July 28 — a Lindsey Stirling t-shirt makes a fun pickup for fans. The Phoenix Mercury host the Golden State Valkyries at Mortgage Matchup Center on July 29; it’s an indoor game so heat won’t affect play, but check out Official team gear on Fanatics before tip-off.
Tonight’s Dinner
With highs like these, skip the stove. A cold Thai noodle salad or a build-your-own wrap bar keeps the kitchen cool, and a high-powered blender turns fruit into smoothie bowls in minutes. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Saturday edges even hotter to 115°F before the Weather Service expects temperatures to ease slightly early next week as thunderstorm coverage returns to the region.
