Phoenix is starting Saturday with wall-to-wall sunshine and a high near 98°F — running 4 to 6 degrees above normal for mid-May — so lock in your outdoor plans early and keep tabs on the Phoenix weather forecast as the day heats up.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service is calling for clear skies and a high near 98°F, with south-southeast winds of 0 to 10 mph and afternoon gusts up to 20 mph. Low humidity and intense May sunshine will make it feel every bit of that 98°F at peak heating — this is not a day to be caught on an exposed trail at noon without water and shade.
Best Window To Be Outside
Early morning is your sweet spot. Hikers heading to Camelback Mountain or South Mountain Park should plan to be off the trail by 9 AM. Golfers will want tee times before 8 AM to beat the worst of the heat. A breathable golf polo shirt men pays for itself on days like this, and if the sunny weekend has you inspired to upgrade your game, a golf club set complete is a smart early-season pickup. Sun protection is non-negotiable — check out our guide to UPF 50+ fishing shirts at just $6.50 for serious coverage at an unbeatable price.
Wind and Fire Weather Risk
This weekend’s breezy conditions are worth watching closely. Saturday afternoon gusts reach up to 20 mph; Sunday’s south winds climb to 5 to 15 mph with gusts as high as 25 mph. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Eastern Arizona’s higher terrain on Sunday, citing elevated to critical fire weather conditions fueled by that gusty, dry air. Phoenix metro isn’t under the warning itself, but the combination of low humidity and afternoon gusts means backyard fires and grills need your full attention — keep flames away from fencing and dry desert vegetation.
Events This Weekend
Tonight is packed in the Valley. Ohgeesy brings “Who Want The Smoke” to Desert Diamond Arena — Get tickets on SeatGeek if you haven’t locked them in yet. For something more intimate, Justin Nozuka plays The Van Buren tonight as well.
Circle May 19: the Arizona Diamondbacks host the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Evening first-pitch temperatures should be comfortable — ideal ballpark weather. Gear up with an Arizona Diamondbacks jersey or an Arizona Diamondbacks fitted cap before you head out to the yard. That same Tuesday, the Demi Lovato: It’s Not That Deep Tour lands at Desert Diamond Arena — a Demi Lovato t-shirt makes a great show-night look.
Grill Weather and Dinner Ideas
With clear skies and zero chance of rain, Saturday evening is textbook backyard grilling weather. Fire up the propane gas grill for burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob. An instant-read meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of perfectly cooked protein, and a clean grill brush and scraper set is essential before the real desert heat sets in for summer. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Sunday cools slightly to a high near 93°F, but gusty winds up to 25 mph make it feel busier outdoors. Monday drops below normal — one of those rare, genuinely pleasant mid-May days in Phoenix. A gradual warming trend then rebuilds through the rest of next week, so savor the brief break while it lasts.
