Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Phoenix, AZ
Issued by NWS Phoenix, AZ
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504 FXUS65 KPSR 012001 AFDPSR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 101 PM MST Sat Nov 1 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Dry and tranquil conditions will continue through next week with temperatures remaining above normal. && .SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Broad upper level ridging remains in place over the Southwest US, with an atmospheric river along the northwestern periphery of the ridge continuing to stream into portions of Washington and Northern Oregon early this afternoon. Meanwhile, the shortwave disturbance which moved south and brushed the CA Coast yesterday has become a weak cutoff low, undercutting the ridge and centering itself well offshore the Northern Baja Coast. The resultant upper level pattern just west of our region resembles a rex block (but only in appearance), with a NNW-SSE oriented deformation zone apparent in midlevel wv imagery on the western flank of the cutoff low. Ensembles continue to advertise the axis of the ridge shifting eastward over the weekend, passing directly overhead early Sunday and well east of the forecast area Sunday night. The weak cutoff low is likely to progress much more slowly and meander towards the SoCal Coast, eventually opening up and getting absorbed in the northern stream Sunday night. As the ridge axis passes overhead, ensemble mean H5 heights will peak near 590 dam. Despite the bump in heights, temperatures may only increase another 1-2 degrees into Sunday. Expect daytime highs this weekend to range from the upper 80s over the majority of the lower deserts to around 90-92F in some of the warmest spots. Skies will remain clear through at least Sunday afternoon before high clouds associated with the aforementioned weak cutoff low move in Sunday night. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... The weather pattern will remain stagnant for our region through next week and likely longer. The ridge is expected to flatten out some by the middle part of next week, but overall H5 heights are still expected to mostly range between 583-587dm through the period. This will keep temperatures above normal with highs mostly within a 86-89 degree range across the lower deserts through at least Wednesday. Other than some mostly thin higher level clouds on Monday, skies will be clear to mostly clear through the entirety of next week. Guidance is still suggesting a slight cool down later next week with highs potentially falling back into the low to mid 80s, but confidence in the cool down is still somewhat low given forecast H5 heights may only drop to between 582-585dm. Either way, the pattern will continue to support dry westerly flow through all of next week. && .AVIATION...Updated at 1720Z. South Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT; and Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: No aviation weather concerns are expected through the TAF period under clear skies. Winds will continue to follow normal diurnal tendencies with extended periods of calm and VRB conditions. && .FIRE WEATHER... Temperatures will fluctuate a few degrees over the next 7 days, but remain around 3-8 degrees above normal for early November. Afternoon minRHs will range between 10-20% areawide through the upcoming work week. Overnight recoveries will improve slightly from 20-40% this weekend to 30-50% Monday night onward, with values on the higher end of that range favoring the western deserts and especially low-lying areas such as the Lower Colorado River Valley and Imperial Valley. A few dry weather systems passing north of the region may temporarily elevate winds but are not expected to present fire weather concerns. Otherwise, winds will be light and generally follow diurnal tendencies with minimal afternoon gustiness. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Whittock LONG TERM...Kuhlman AVIATION...Salerno FIRE WEATHER...Whittock/Kuhlman