Phoenix is under an Extreme Heat Warning today, Wednesday, July 15, with highs near 107°F and heat index values climbing to 111°F, according to the National Weather Service — plus a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms between 4 and 5 PM. If you have outdoor plans, do them before 9 AM or after 7 PM, because midday pavement at spots like South Mountain Park or the Camelback Mountain trailheads can turn dangerous fast.
Today’s Setup
The NWS Phoenix office says ample monsoon moisture combined with a favorable upper-level pattern is driving increasingly active weather across Arizona. Overnight lows only dropped to 88°F before climbing back near 90°F, and today’s mostly sunny skies give way to a slight chance of showers and storms this afternoon, rising to a 40% chance tonight. Wind stays light out of the south at 5 to 10 mph.
Best Window To Be Outside
Early morning is your best bet — think 5:30 to 8 AM for a walk around Encanto Park or an early tee time. By afternoon, 107°F heat combined with rising humidity pushes the heat index to 111°F, squarely into heat-illness territory. Headed to Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre tonight for Evanescence? It’s a fully outdoor venue, so plan for shade and water until the sun drops.
Heat And Storm Risk
The Extreme Heat Warning is the headline, and forecasters expect the active pattern to continue into Thursday and Friday, when a disturbance brings a better chance of widespread storms — with the potential for heavy rainfall and localized flooding over eastern and central Arizona. Thursday cools slightly to 102°F with a 58% chance of storms, and temperatures should trend closer to normal by Friday.
What To Wear Or Bring
Light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, and water are non-negotiable today. A rolling cooler with wheels makes it easy to keep drinks cold at the ballpark or a backyard hangout, and if monsoon humidity has your house feeling sticky overnight, a dehumidifier 50 pint home unit can help indoor air feel more livable.
Local Games & Events This Week
The Arizona Diamondbacks host the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field on Saturday, July 18 — an outdoor game, so expect Phoenix’s typical summer heat early before it eases after sunset. Grab an Arizona Diamondbacks jersey or Arizona Diamondbacks fitted cap to rep the team, and Find tickets on StubHub if you want to catch it live. Music fans have options too: Evanescence plays Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre tonight, Daniel Caesar brings the Son Of Spergy Tour to Mortgage Matchup Center Thursday, July 16, and the Forrest Frank concert hits the same venue Saturday, July 18. Get tickets on SeatGeek for availability, and check out a Daniel Caesar t-shirt or Forrest Frank t-shirt to complete the night.
Tonight’s Dinner
With triple-digit heat outside, keep the kitchen light — a cold pasta salad or a quick stir-fry works great and won’t heat up the house further. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Thursday brings a cooler 102°F with a better shot at storms, and Friday should see more widespread monsoon activity with heavy rain potential over eastern and central Arizona before temperatures ease closer to normal for the weekend. For gear to get through the heat, browse outdoor gear deals or the 2-person Intex floating lounge for backyard pool relief.
