Dive into our latest blog where Amy Freeze explores temperatures soaring in Phoenix and mild conditions in Los Angeles, coupled with an update on the potential showers and snow affecting your area.

Hello everyone! 🔆 This week in the Southwest is shaping up to be a mix of sunny sprawls and cozy chills! Meteorologist Amy Freeze here guiding you through highs of 92°F in Phoenix, cooling showers in Northern California, and a sprinkle of snow in Sierra Nevada. We’ve got all you need to plan your week, protect yourself from UV rays, and stay ahead of the weather changes. Read on for day-by-day forecasts and essential weather tips right from the heart of Phoenix! On the Regional Radar for the Southwest, rain showers are advancing inward from the Pacific and are making their way into California. Redding is experiencing rainfall, as a band of precipitation moves southward along the Northern California coast and into the central valleys, bringing rain to areas like Fresno and Bakersfield. Snowfall is noticeable in the higher elevations just outside of Reno, suggesting colder conditions in the Sierra Nevada. Farther south, Salt Lake City is enjoying relatively dry conditions. Las Vegas continues to stay dry, with skies remaining clear. Arizona’s Flagstaff is on the cusp of some light snow showers, creating a chilly environment, whereas Phoenix remains under clear skies. San Diego is enjoying a break with calm and mild weather, while Los Angeles sees light drizzle, maintaining its characteristically mild climate. A line of energetic weather continues, with snow and mixture along the Sierra Nevada and rain easing its way inland providing much-needed moisture to these typically dry areas.
For this afternoon in Phoenix, temperatures rise to 87 degrees by 3 PM and peak at 90 degrees around 5 PM, maintaining through 7 PM. Expect mostly sunny skies transitioning to clear as the day progresses. Winds shift from southwest at 5 miles per hour earlier to west at 7 miles per hour by late afternoon, with a slight increase to west-southwest at 9 miles per hour by evening.
Let’s dive into today’s high temperatures for the Southwest. In Las Vegas, expect a sizzling high of 87 degrees. Moving to Phoenix, it’s even hotter with a high hitting 92 degrees, making it the warmest spot today. Flagstaff is much cooler, reaching just 68 degrees, a significant contrast to the lower desert areas. Cedar City sees a moderate high of 70. Over in San Diego, it’s pleasantly mild at 65 degrees, providing a nice coastal escape. Lastly, Los Angeles warms up to 62 degrees, still on the cooler side for Southern California.
Tonight, the Southwest is looking quite chilly. Ely drops to a brisk 30 degrees, while Payson will also face a chilly evening at 34. Las Vegas will see a low of 51, remaining warmer than many surrounding areas. In Arizona, Flagstaff is expected to cool down to 30 degrees. Phoenix wraps up the night at a mild 59 degrees, significantly warmer than the higher elevations.
High temperatures for the Southwest region tomorrow are trending on the warmer side. In the heart of the desert, Phoenix is set to reach a sizzling high of 84 degrees, well above the seasonal average. Las Vegas will also feel the heat, with expected highs around 75 degrees, making for a pleasant day. As we move toward California, Bakersfield will hit 75 degrees, while Fresno is slightly cooler at 70 degrees. Los Angeles is projected to see a high of 63 degrees, providing a more mild day for the coastal city. San Diego remains comfortable, with highs expected at 62 degrees. Farther north, Redding will see highs of 61 degrees, and San Francisco will be cooler at 59 degrees.
“A developing weather pattern over the Southwest signals increased activity for the region. Expect showers to move into the area late Thursday evening, especially impacting Northern California with valley rain and mountain snow. The heaviest precipitation is forecasted over higher elevations. Travel may be affected with slick roads, especially over mountain passes. Farther south, Southern California in regions like Los Angeles might see more mild showers that could lead to slower commutes. Keep an eye on changing conditions that could lead to brief intense downpours, causing localized flooding through Friday.”
The UV index in Phoenix is quite high today, peaking at 8. This level of sun exposure means a burn time of just 17 minutes in direct sunlight. Looking ahead to tomorrow, the index drops to a moderate 5, with a burn time of 27 minutes.