Contrasts in the Clouds: A Comprehensive Weather Update Across the Southwest
By
Amy Freeze
Explore a detailed weather forecast with Amy Freeze, featuring sunny days, chilly nights, and everything in between across the Southwest.
Meteorologist Amy Freeze delivers the latest weather updates for the Southwest region. Get insights into this afternoon’s conditions and the week ahead.
Join Meteorologist Amy Freeze as she takes you through a detailed journey of the Southwest’s diverse weather. From partly cloudy skies in Salt Lake City to the clear and pleasant conditions in Phoenix, prepare for a comprehensive update. This post covers the full spectrum of this week’s weather, from daily temperatures to significant weather changes like rain in California and snow in Nevada. Whether planning your week or just staying informed, catch all the essential weather details right here.
The Southwest region is experiencing a mix of weather today. Starting from the Pacific, rain is sweeping into northern California, reaching the Redding area, extending south. Any amount of rain is welcome, offering relief from dry conditions. Farther inland, the Eastern Nevada mountains are seeing a touch of snow. Otherwise it’s primarily dry skies, with Reno rain free.
Los Angeles and San Diego maintain dry and mild conditions, perfect for outdoor activities. The desert southwest, including Las Vegas and Phoenix, enjoy clear skies with pleasant weather conditions. Flagstaff may see a few scattered snow showers as temperatures dip.
Cedar City is experiencing more cloud cover.
This afternoon in Salt Lake City, temperatures will warm up to 52 degrees by 5 PM and hold steady into the evening. The cloud cover remains prevalent throughout, transitioning to mostly cloudy skies by 7 PM. Winds are forecasted to be light, coming from the west at 10 miles per hour, then shifting northwest at 9 miles per hour later in the afternoon.
We’re seeing a wide range of temperatures across the Southwest. In Las Vegas, it’s a warm day with a high of 77 degrees, while farther west in Los Angeles, it’s cooler at 72 degrees. San Diego is 69 degrees. Heading into the Arizona desert, Phoenix is heating things up with a high of 86 degrees, making it a noticeably warmer day. In the higher elevations of Flagstaff, expect a cooler 60 degrees. Overall, it’s a day of contrasts, with those in the valley enjoying the warmth while the higher terrains remain more mild.
In the Southwest, temperatures are dropping significantly. In Las Vegas, expect a low of 57. Meanwhile, Cedar City will see temperatures dip to 37. Farther east, Flagstaff is set for a chilly 34 degrees. Over in Phoenix, it remains mild with a low of 61.
Here’s the regional high temperature rundown for the Southwest this Sunday:
Las Vegas will be basking in warmth with a high of 83 degrees, which is above average for this time of year. Over in Phoenix, temperatures will soar to a sizzling 87 degrees, well above normal, making for a hot day.
To the west, Los Angeles is expected to reach 72 degrees. San Diego is at 70 degrees tomorrow. Up north, San Francisco will see a high of 64, while Fresno warms up to 74 degrees.
Overall, a ridge of high pressure is influencing these warm temperatures across the Southwest, with many cities seeing readings above seasonal averages.
“On the Southwest futurecast, clear skies will dominate much of the desert areas, but coastal regions will see activity. A cold front will bring rounds of rain across northern California. Then a ridge will build in Sunday drying everything out. For southern california, it will create offshore flow which will ensure the morning low clouds do not last long. A stable airmass is moving into the entire region. The warmest days of the year so far are on the way – expect dry skies from the west coast to the Wasatch Front to end the weekend.”
The UV index in Salt Lake City will be low on Saturday with a value of 3, so there’s minimal risk from sun exposure due to expected rain and cloud cover. On Sunday, the UV index rises to 5 with sunny conditions, indicating a burn time of about 27 minutes. Make sure to apply sunscreen and take protective measures if spending time outdoors!