Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Phoenix, AZ
Issued by NWS Phoenix, AZ
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079 FXUS65 KPSR 072030 AFDPSR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 130 PM MST Sun Dec 7 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Dry and quiescent weather conditions will continue through at least the next 7 days. - Temperatures will steadily climb through the upcoming workweek, with highs likely reaching 8 to 12 degrees above daily normals. && .SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH MONDAY/... The overall upper-lvl pattern is not expected to change much over the next 24 hours as dry and benign weather conditions persist across the forecast area. An unseasonably strong ridge of high pressure will remain centered over the E Pacific a few hundred miles off the coast of CA. This pattern will induce dry NW flow aloft over the Desert Southwest and keep temperatures slightly above normal with highs in the mid 70s across the lower deserts today and tomorrow. Model consensus does show a weak shortwave trough diving SE through the Great Basin region and into southcentral AZ on Monday afternoon. This will result in an increasing 700-500 mb hght gradient and drag a weak sfc front through the region. The main noticeable change in weather conditions from this shortwave will be increased breeziness across the Lower Colorado River Valley Monday afternoon and the higher terrain of southcentral AZ on Monday evening into Monday night where gusts could reach up to 20-25 mph at times. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH NEXT WEEKEND/... Deterministic models and ensemble members continue to be in excellent agreement that the ridge will remain stalled off the west coast of California through the middle of this coming week, keeping much of western CONUS under the influence of the eastern flank of the ridge. Multiple shortwaves will be moving from the Pacific NW/southern British Columbia down into the Plains that will temporally dampen the ridge, but, it will quickly rebound. If any of these shortwaves are able to slide into the Desert Southwest, we could see additional breeziness across SE California and the AZ high terrain. Nevertheless, regional temperatures will gradually warm to around 8-10 degrees above normal by the middle of next week. Afternoon high temperatures are forecast to reach the mid to upper 70s and near 80F in some places across the lower deserts, with highs in the upper 60s to mid 70s across the higher terrain. By the end of the week and heading into next weekend, the ridge will finally push onshore with the center of the ridge eventually moving over the Desert Southwest during the weekend. The ridge will be weakening as it moves onshore, however, with it moving directly overhead temperatures will continue to gradually warm. H5 heights will rise into the 583-586 dm range by the end of next week and heading into next weekend. This will result in afternoon high temperatures 10-12 degrees above normal and morning low temperatures 6-8 degrees above normal. For the end of next week, afternoon high temperatures are forecast to be in the upper 70s to near 80 degrees across the lower deserts and in the low to mid 70s across the higher terrain. Morning lows are forecast to be in the 50s across the lower deserts and in the 40s across the higher terrain. Additionally with the ridge continuing to dominate the region, dry and tranquil conditions will continue through at least next weekend. && .AVIATION...Updated at 1725Z. South Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT; and Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: No aviation concerns are expected through Monday morning. Light winds, generally aob 7 kts will be common with extended periods of VRB to calm conditions. Besides a FEW passing high clouds to the north of the terminals, skies will be mostly clear. && .FIRE WEATHER... Warm and dry weather will prevail across the region through this coming week. Temperatures will be above normal and gradually warm to 8-12 degrees above normal by the end of the week. A brief bout of gusty winds can be expected across the Lower Colorado River Valley and AZ high terrain on Monday afternoon and evening, otherwise winds will generally remain light and follow diurnal tendencies. Humidities over the next week will stay elevated with afternoon MinRHs mostly ranging between 20-30%, followed by good to excellent overnight recoveries. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Salerno LONG TERM...Berislavich AVIATION...RW FIRE WEATHER...Berislavich/Salerno