863
FXUS65 KFGZ 031739
AFDFGZ

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
1039 AM MST Thu Jul 3 2025

.SYNOPSIS...Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are
expected again today. Drier and very warm conditions return for
the holiday weekend, with a weak return of moisture next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Plentiful moisture remains over the region, with
scattered light showers continuing as of 2 AM over northeast AZ
with some heavier showers/storms in western parts of the state. An
upper trough is located over southern California this morning, and
this is forecast to shift eastward over the state through this
afternoon. Weak lift and additional instability from mid-level
cooling is expected to result in scattered to widespread showers
and thunderstorms through early this evening. While much of the
stronger storms are likely to be in the afternoon, with the
approach of the trough there could be storms during the morning
hours as well, especially from around Flagstaff westward. With
CAPE values 750-1200 J/kg forecast, some stronger storms with some
mostly small hail, locally heavy rainfall/flooding, and gusty
outflow winds will all be threats.

After this trough moves by, the flow will turn more westerly as
stronger ridging develops to our southeast and gradually shifts
toward AZ. So an abrupt downturn in storm activity is expected on
Friday and Saturday, with no storms Friday and only a 10-20%
chance in southern Apache County for Saturday. Sunday through the
middle of next week, model guidance indicates a strong high
pressure system setting up across the southwest United States.
Temperatures will rise several degrees above normal, with a chance
for heat products once again for the lower portion of Grand Canyon
and possibly the lower elevations of Yavapai County as well.
Moisture return will depend on where the center of the high
pressure system sets up, with a slow return of limited moisture in
the ensemble forecast mean. Low storm chances return to the
forecast. It should be noted that most of this is coming from
GEFS/Canadian with very little precipitation shown in the EC.

&&

.AVIATION...Thursday 03/18Z through Friday 04/18Z...Isolated
-SHRA/-TSRA will quickly become scattered to widespread,
 continuing through 03Z Friday. Heavier showers could bring brief
 drops to MVFR conditions, and erratic gusty outflow winds. Winds
 are SW-W 5-15 kts away from storm activity, then light and VRB
 overnight.

OUTLOOK...Friday 04/18Z through Sunday 06/18Z...VFR conditions.
Slight chance of -SHRA/-TSRA on Saturday afternoon SE of a KPAN-
KSJN line, dry otherwise. SW winds 10-20 kts gusting 25-30 kts on
Friday, becoming W-SW around 10 kts on Saturday.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Today through Friday...Additional showers and
thunderstorms are expected today, before much drier conditions
return on Friday. Minimum RH values look to drop from 20-40% today
to 10-20% on Friday. Outside of gusty storm-driven winds, look for
south through west winds 10-20 mph.

Saturday through Monday...Hot and dry conditions expected through
Saturday, before a weak monsoon pattern sets up for next week.
Minimum RH values look to generally be between 10-20% each
afternoon, with light southwest winds. Precipitation chances
Sunday and Monday look to be mostly Flagstaff eastward.

&&

.FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None.

&&

$$

PUBLIC...JJ
AVIATION...Lewandowski
FIRE WEATHER...JJ

For Northern Arizona weather information visit
weather.gov/flagstaff