This April, the Southwest is a stage of contrasting weather patterns. From rains in San Francisco to the blazing sun in Phoenix, Amy Freeze brings you the in-depth details.

Rain showers across California gracefully nurture the drought-hit areas, while snow decorates the Sierra Nevada. Sunny skies dominate Las Vegas and Phoenix, boosting temperatures into near record highs. Amy Freeze discusses these patterns and offers advice on how to navigate this dynamic climate. For a thorough day-by-day breakdown of the weather ahead, head over to our detailed blog post. On the Regional Radar for the Southwest, rain showers are sweeping across California, particularly impacting San Francisco with much-needed precipitation. Moving inland, areas along the Central Valley, including Fresno and Bakersfield, are also experiencing rain, which provides relief to these typically dry regions. Snow is blanketing higher elevations, such as those near Reno, bringing wintry weather to the Sierra Nevada. In contrast, other parts of the region like Salt Lake City and Las Vegas are currently clear, providing a break from the rain. Salt Lake City is dry with some cloud cover, but no precipitation is expected here today. Eee-lie, Nevada, is also clear and dry, allowing for calm conditions in the Great Basin. Farther south, San Diego is enjoying relatively clear conditions, with only a few passing clouds. Flagstaff is experiencing cold conditions with the potential for light snow showers as the system circulates over the mountain areas of Arizona. Phoenix stays dry and warm.
For Los Angeles this afternoon, temperatures will hold steady at 77 degrees with partly cloudy skies. Winds will come from the south-southwest at 7 to 8 miles per hour, providing a gentle breeze throughout the afternoon. As the evening approaches, expect temperatures to slightly drop to 75 degrees, accompanied by mostly sunny skies.
In Las Vegas, the temperature soars to a sizzling 94 degrees. Meanwhile, Phoenix is heating things up even more, reaching an eye-popping 100 degrees—definitely a day to stay hydrated! Moving to the coastal areas, Los Angeles is enjoying a comfortable 80 degrees, contrasting nicely with San Diego, where the high is a pleasant 78. As we head farther north, Fresno feels a bit warmer at 87 degrees, and Bakersfield is just a touch hotter at 89 degrees. In the higher elevations, Flagstaff is experiencing a mild day with a high of 76. Ely checks in at 75 degrees, while Cedar City reaches a comfortable 78.
Ely will dip down to a brisk 41 degrees. Flagstaff will match that low, also expecting 41 degrees. Meanwhile, Las Vegas is slightly warmer at 70 degrees, but it will feel cooler by morning. In Arizona, Phoenix will rest at 68 degrees tonight. If you’re in Cedar City, expect a low of 52 degrees.
Tomorrow’s high temperatures in the Southwest, Ely is forecasted to reach a pleasant 76 degrees. Moving to California, San Francisco will remain cooler at 64 degrees, while nearby Fresno warms significantly to 86 degrees. The Los Angeles area is set for a high of 80 degrees, and inland, Bakersfield will see an even warmer 97 degrees. Heading east, Las Vegas is on track for a sizzling high of 97 degrees, and further south, Phoenix is expected to hit a remarkable 101 degrees, providing a taste of summer. Meanwhile, Flagstaff holds steady at 76 degrees. Overall, the warm conditions can be attributed to a high-pressure system lingering across the region, leading to clear skies and abundant sunshine.
A sunny day is on tap for much of the desert Southwest, with temperatures rising under clear skies. However, in Northern California, prepare for periods of rain through Wednesday, impacting areas such as the Sacramento Valley and the Bay Area. Southern California isn’t left out, as intermittent showers are expected to bring challenging driving conditions in regions like the San Bernardino Valley. With this wet weather pattern, it’s best to keep an umbrella handy and be cautious on the roads, especially over mountainous areas.
The UV index in Los Angeles is notably high at 8 for both Thursday and Friday. This level of sunlight can cause skin damage in as little as 17 minutes, so it’s crucial to take precautions.