Phoenix is heading into a sunny Sunday with a high near 99°F — ideal Memorial Day weekend weather, with one late-afternoon dust watch worth knowing about before you finalize your plans.
Today’s Setup
Clear skies and south-southwest winds at 0 to 5 mph keep conditions comfortable through mid-morning. The National Weather Service is tracking an upper-level system approaching from the Pacific that could fuel isolated thunderstorms near Tucson this afternoon. Forecasters note that outflow from that activity could push gusty winds — and lofted dust — toward the Phoenix metro by late afternoon, roughly 5 to 8 PM MST. If you see a brown haze building to the south from South Mountain or the I-10 corridor, bring outdoor plans inside early. Overnight southwest winds pick up to 0 to 10 mph with gusts as high as 25 mph, so secure anything light on the patio before bed.
Best Window To Be Outside
Aim for before 10 AM. Camelback Mountain and South Mountain trails are prime in the early morning before the heat builds. Golf courses are in excellent shape for a morning round — a golf hat visor is essential once that desert sun climbs, and an allergy relief nasal spray is worth packing if spring dust and pollen have been giving you trouble in the Valley.
D-Backs at Chase Field Today
The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field today, May 24. Afternoon temps will be near 99°F, so arrive hydrated and plan for the heat. Dress the part with an Arizona Diamondbacks jersey and an Arizona Diamondbacks fitted cap. Still hunting for seats? Find tickets on StubHub before first pitch.
Concerts This Week
YUNGBLUD brings the IDOLS - THE WORLD TOUR to Arizona Financial Theatre on Memorial Day, May 25 — an indoor show, no weather concerns. Wednesday, May 27, Pitbull - I’m Back with special guest Lil Jon hits the outdoor Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre; the National Weather Service expects winds to increase through mid-week, so dress comfortably for that one. Get tickets on SeatGeek for either show before they sell out. Also on May 27, the Stifel Stars on Ice show skates into Mullett Arena — a cool, indoor escape from the heat.
Memorial Day Grilling
Memorial Day looks nearly identical — sunny with a high near 97°F and light southeast winds at 0 to 5 mph. Classic backyard cookout conditions. Fire up the grill for burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob. An instant-read meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of doneness, and a grill brush and scraper set keeps your grates clean between rounds. For a weekend project worth trying, our Smoke Tri-Tip Like Brisket guide is a $10 hack that delivers. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
This holiday window is the best stretch of the week — take advantage. The National Weather Service forecasts temperatures cooling into below-normal territory by the latter half of the week, with increasing winds and occasional stronger gusts developing through mid-week. A more unsettled pattern arrives Thursday onward. Sunday and Monday are your prime days for hiking, grilling, and getting out in Phoenix.
