Phoenix is waking up to clear skies and a high heading for 98°F today — about 4 to 8 degrees above the mid-May average — so front-load your outdoor plans and stay well-hydrated through the afternoon.
Today’s Setup
The Phoenix weather forecast couldn’t be cleaner: full sunshine, calm to light south winds at 0 to 5 mph, and a zero percent chance of rain. The National Weather Service confirms a near-persistence setup — what you see this morning is what you’ll get all day. Overnight lows ease back to around 72°F, so evenings remain warm but tolerable.
Best Window To Be Outside
Early morning is your golden hour. Lock in your Camelback Mountain hike, South Mountain bike ride, or golf tee time before 10 AM MST. With calm air and clear skies, course conditions are excellent — a golf hat visor cuts the desert glare, and moisture wicking undershirts men keep you comfortable through the back nine. Limit hard outdoor exertion between noon and 4 PM MST when the heat peaks. For outdoor gear deals built for Phoenix sun, UPF-rated shirts and sun protection are worth picking up before summer fully arrives.
Weekend Wind & Fire Weather Watch
Saturday ticks slightly warmer to near 99°F, and winds pick up noticeably. The National Weather Service forecasts south winds 0 to 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph by Saturday afternoon, driven by a trough pushing through the Interior West. Temperatures drop toward normal Sunday as the system clears.
More critically: the National Weather Service is flagging critical fire weather conditions possible Sunday for Eastern Arizona’s higher terrain. If you’re heading toward the White Mountains or Mogollon Rim this weekend, avoid any open flames and check current fire restrictions before you go.
Events This Weekend
Tonight, the Phoenix Mercury host the Chicago Sky at Mortgage Matchup Center — a climate-controlled escape from the heat. Grab Official team gear on Fanatics to rep the team. On Saturday, the Arizona Juggernauts take on the Cincinnati Slingers at Mullett Arena (May 16), another smart indoor option when temps are closing in on triple digits.
Looking ahead, the Demi Lovato: It’s Not That Deep Tour hits Desert Diamond Arena on Tuesday, May 19. Find tickets on StubHub before they sell out, and a Demi Lovato t-shirt makes the perfect concert-night outfit.
Grill Night — Dinner After Sunset
Once the sun drops and temps ease into the mid-70s, tonight is tailor-made for backyard grilling. Fire up burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob — a quintessential Phoenix Friday spread. An instant-read meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of doneness, and a grill brush and scraper set keeps your grates clean and ready. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
- Friday Night: Clear, low around 72°F, calm winds — pleasant patio weather
- Saturday: Sunny near 99°F, gusts to 25 mph — plan outdoor time before noon
- Sunday: Cooling trend begins; critical fire weather watch for Eastern AZ high terrain
- Early next week: Temperatures drop toward or below normal
Keep an eye on the Phoenix weather forecast as wind timing may shift over the next 24 to 48 hours.
