Phoenix is baking under a sunny, dangerously hot Thursday, with highs near 113°F and heat index values as high as 111 — and today’s move is simple: get your outdoor stuff done before 8 AM or wait until after sunset, because the National Weather Service has an Extreme Heat Warning in effect across the Valley through this evening.
Today’s Setup
A strong subtropical ridge is parked directly over the state, and the National Weather Service says that’s driving afternoon highs into the 110-114°F range across the south-central lower deserts, including Phoenix. Overnight lows won’t offer much relief either — expect a low near 89°F, actually rising to around 91°F before dawn, which is exactly the pattern behind this stretch of Major HeatRisk.
Best Window To Be Outside
Mornings before 8 AM are your friend this week. If you’re walking dogs, watering the yard, or hitting Papago Park or the Desert Botanical Garden, do it at sunrise. Skip Camelback Mountain and South Mountain trail climbs during peak heat hours — with heat index values pushing 110-111, that kind of exertion midday turns serious fast.
Heat Risk
The Extreme Heat Warning covers all lower desert locations through this evening, and forecasters have extended it through Friday evening specifically for the Phoenix Metro as the ridge only weakens slightly. Never leave kids or pets in parked cars, check on elderly neighbors, and keep a Stanley tumbler 40oz filled with ice water within reach all day — hydration is the single biggest factor in staying safe through this.
What To Wear Or Bring
Light-colored, loose clothing, a wide-brim hat, and sunscreen for any midday errands. Once the sun drops and patios start filling back up in the evening, a citronella candle set keeps things pleasant outside without the bugs.
Around Town This Week
The Phoenix Mercury host the Indiana Fever tonight, July 9, at Mortgage Matchup Center — indoors and air-conditioned, a solid heat-escape plan; Get tickets on SeatGeek. Joji brings his SOLARIS tour to the same venue Friday, July 10 — see our Joji: SOLARIS concert guide and Find tickets on StubHub, plus a Joji t-shirt for the show. Fuerza Regida’s This Is Our Dream Stadium Tour lands at Chase Field on Sunday, July 12 — check our Fuerza Regida weather and concert guide before you go, and grab a Fuerza Regida t-shirt or Fuerza Regida hoodie for the night.
Helpful Links
Cooling off matters as much as sun protection right now — a 2-Person Intex Floating Lounge with Cooler Just $24 on Amazon is a smart pickup for pool time once the sun starts dropping.
Next Few Days
Friday stays extreme, with highs near 111°F and the Extreme Heat Warning holding for the Phoenix Metro through Friday evening. Storm chances remain confined to the higher terrain of eastern and southeastern Arizona through Friday, but the National Weather Service expects more widespread thunderstorm chances to build late this weekend and into early next week as deeper monsoon moisture arrives — worth watching if you’ve got outdoor plans.
With heat like this, keep dinner simple and low-effort — something like pasta or a quick stir-fry works well when you don’t want to stand over a hot stove or grill in 113°F. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
