Phoenix is baking again today, with sunny skies, a high near 106°F, and heat index values climbing as high as 111 — so the move is simple: get your outdoor plans done before mid-morning and stay in the AC through the afternoon.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service in Phoenix says a strong upper-level ridge parked over the central U.S. is funneling deep southeasterly moisture across Arizona, keeping monsoon humidity high even as temps stay extreme. Winds stay light, southeast at 0 to 5 mph, with tonight’s low around 89 before actually rising back to near 91 overnight. There’s a slight chance (around 16-20%) of a stray shower or thunderstorm between 8 PM and 5 AM, mainly in outlying areas.
Best Window To Be Outside
If you’re hitting Camelback Mountain, South Mountain Park, or Papago Park, go before 7 AM — pavement and trail temps become genuinely dangerous by mid-morning. Same goes for golf tee times and fishing at Tempe Town Lake or Saguaro Lake: sunrise is your window before the heat index takes over. Bring a Yeti rambler water bottle and reapply SPF 50 sunscreen if you’re out past 8 AM.
Heat And Storm Risk
The NWS’s Area Forecast Discussion flags Extreme Heat Warnings across the region through Thursday, with the western deserts hit hardest. Storm chances stay limited today but ramp up fast: Wednesday brings a 42% chance of showers and thunderstorms (mainly 4-5 PM) with a high near 107°F, and forecasters expect more widespread storms Thursday and Friday, with heavy rainfall and localized flooding potential over central and eastern Arizona. Watch for flash flooding in washes if you’re out that way.
What To Wear Or Bring
Light, breathable clothing, SPF 50 sunscreen, and a Yeti rambler water bottle are non-negotiable today. If you’re getting an early cast in at the lake, soft plastic worm bait or a crappie jig kit will do the trick before the bite shuts down in the heat.
This Week’s Games & Shows
Young the Giant plays Arizona Financial Theatre tonight — an outdoor venue, so expect the mid-90s at gate time cooling into the evening; grab tickets on SeatGeek. The Les Misérables touring production hits Phoenix Theatre-AZ Wednesday, a nice indoor, air-conditioned option if you want to dodge the heat entirely. On July 18, the Arizona Diamondbacks host the St. Louis Cardinals at climate-controlled Chase Field — a great heat-escape outing, with official team gear on Fanatics for fans. Also July 18, the Forrest Frank: The Jesus Generation Tour rolls into Mortgage Matchup Center — find tickets on StubHub and grab a Forrest Frank t-shirt or Forrest Frank hat before the show.
Helpful Links
For pool days before the storms build, check out outdoor gear deals, including the Intex floating lounge for cooling off at home.
Dinner Idea
With clear skies through this evening, it’s a solid grilling night — burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob. Just grill early evening once temps ease off. An instant-read meat thermometer and grill brush and scraper set make cleanup and doneness a breeze. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have Amazon Fresh groceries delivered to your door before dinner.
Next Few Days
Wednesday stays hot near 107°F with rising storm chances, then Thursday and Friday bring the region’s best shot at widespread monsoon rain and possible flooding across central and eastern Arizona. Temperatures ease later this week, trending below normal by Friday — a welcome break after this stretch of extreme heat.
