Phoenix is under an Extreme Heat Warning today, Tuesday, May 12, with a high near 106°F — get your outdoor business done before 9 AM or wait until after sunset. The National Weather Service has this warning in effect for the Phoenix Metro area through early this evening, and it’s one of the more serious heat events of the spring.
Today’s Setup
A powerful upper-level ridge is parked over the Desert Southwest, keeping skies sunny and south winds calm at 0 to 5 mph — no breeze relief today. Yesterday’s readings flirted with 110°F across the region; today the National Weather Service expects Phoenix to top out between 105 and 107 degrees. If you had plans for a Camelback Mountain hike or a lap around South Mountain Park, move them to early morning or push them to later in the week.
When To Be Outside (And When Not To)
Peak danger runs from late morning through early evening. If you absolutely must be outdoors midday, a portable misting fan can take the edge off — but shade and hydration are non-negotiable in these temperatures. The overnight low drops to around 75°F with mostly clear skies and light west-northwest winds up to 10 mph, so evening hours are your best window today. The cooling trend accelerates Wednesday, making later in the week far more comfortable for any outdoor activity.
Tonight’s Plans
Cool indoor options are plentiful tonight. The Phoenix Mercury host the Minnesota Lynx at Mortgage Matchup Center — grab tickets on SeatGeek for some WNBA action in the air conditioning. Also tonight, The Avett Brothers bring their folk-rock show to Arizona Financial Theatre; pick up a The Avett Brothers t-shirt to mark the evening.
Grill After Sunset
Once the sun dips below South Mountain, the calm and dry conditions are genuinely perfect for backyard grilling. Fire up 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 in shape all summer long. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
The Week Ahead
Relief is coming. Wednesday brings partly sunny skies and a high near 101°F as the ridge weakens — still hot, but a meaningful drop. The National Weather Service forecasts a continued cooling trend through the upcoming weekend, with highs easing into the upper 90s to around 100°F. That’s prime golf weather on the horizon; get your bag dialed in with our Best Golf Balls for High Handicappers in 2026 guide before you tee off. Track conditions all week at the Phoenix weather forecast.
