Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Phoenix, AZ

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846 FXUS65 KPSR 211106 AFDPSR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 406 AM MST Tue May 21 2024 .UPDATE...
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Updated Aviation Discussion...
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&& .SYNOPSIS... Typical dry late-May weather will persist through the remainder of this week and this weekend, with near normal temperatures each day as lower desert highs reach the nineties. Typical daily breeziness in the afternoons can be expected. A weak disturbance late this week will bring a slight enhancement to the winds and cool temperatures slightly. By early next week temperatures will warm to above normal as high pressure develops. && .DISCUSSION... Global ensemble models maintain strong agreement in the persistence of a longwave trough pattern across the Western CONUS through the remainder of this week and this weekend, with a few embedded dry shortwave troughs, but no substantial weather impacts. H5 heights are expected to remain around 576-580dm over the area which is typical for this time of year. So, for the 6 days fairly typical dry Spring weather is expected across the Desert Southwest. This will include daily widespread Minor HeatRisk, with afternoon lower desert high temperatures in the 90s, right at seasonal normals, plenty of sun, and overnight lows in the 60s. Typical afternoon breeziness can be expected, with most days gusting into the 15-30 mph range across the southern deserts. Slight enhancements to the wind are possible with passing shortwaves. Currently, the strongest/deepest wave looks to impact the region Friday and Saturday, with potential for stronger wind gusts, including in excess of 35 mph in Southeast CA. Following the shortwave late this week and this weekend, global ensembles are strongly in favor of a high-amplitude ridge developing across the Western CONUS heading into early next week, with H5 heights climbing up to the 585-590dm range. This will lead to 100 degree afternoon temperatures again and potentially the hottest temperatures of the year so far. && .AVIATION...
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Updated at 1105Z. South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT: No aviation impacts are expected through the period with fairly light winds generally following diurnal tendencies. Expect southwest winds to establish by the afternoon with occasional gusts into the mid teens through early evening. Clear skies will prevail through the period. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: No aviation weather concerns will exist through the next 24 hours under clear skies. Winds will favor the west northwest at KIPL with speeds aob 12 kt. An extended period of light wind speeds (aob 6 kt sustained) and variability can be anticipated at KBLH through at least the afternoon before settling out of the southwest during the evening.
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&& .FIRE WEATHER... Very typical mid/late May weather will prevail the remainder of the week highlighted by seasonably warm temperatures, dry conditions, and frequently breezy afternoon/early evenings. Minimum afternoon humidity levels will mostly fall into the single digits with some modest improvement into a 10-20% level towards the end of the week. This will follow generally poor to fair overnight recovery of 20- 40%. Wind gusts 15-25 mph will be common through the week. A slight enhancement is anticipated during the late-week timeframe as a dry system moves through. Wind gusts with the late-week system may increase up to 25-30 mph, to as high as 30-40 mph near terrain features, and the Imperial Valley, resulting in an elevated, to perhaps locally critical, fire danger. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Benedict AVIATION...Kuhlman FIRE WEATHER...18/Benedict