Sizzling Southwest: A Comprehensive Guide to This Week’s Weather Wonders
By
Amy Freeze
Explore the extremes of the Southwest weather—from fiery temperatures to cooling showers. Get equipped with all the essential forecasts for Salt Lake City and beyond.
This week in the Southwest brings a rollercoaster of temperatures and precipitation. From intense heat in Phoenix to cooling rains in Northern California, see how it all unfolds!
As the Southwest gears up for another week, temperatures are on a dramatic rise with Phoenix hitting a scorching 114 degrees. However, not all areas are engulfed in heat; unexpected showers are set to cool Northern California. Explore our detailed analysis on what these weather patterns mean for your daily life and how to best prepare for temperature fluctuations and rain.
A swath of rain is moving into northern California, with Redding experiencing moderate showers and the rain extending towards Reno. The skies over the southern regions such as Los Angeles and San Diego remain clear, maintaining a dry and sunny outlook. Ely is seeing some cloud coverage, while Flagstaff might experience some light rain due to clouds moving in from the west. The rest of the Southwest, including Las Vegas and Phoenix, enjoys dry conditions under bright skies.
Salt Lake City will experience a warm afternoon with temperatures climbing to 94 degrees by early evening. Winds will vary from South-Southwest at 10 mph to West-Northwest at 8 mph. Expect mostly sunny skies turning partly cloudy by 6 PM, adding a touch of cloud cover to the late afternoon.
In the Southwest today, temperatures are soaring to impressive heights. Las Vegas is heating up to a blazing 108 degrees, while Phoenix is even toastier, reaching a scorching high of 110 degrees. Over in Flagstaff, the high is a more moderate 88 degrees, offering a stark contrast to the extreme heat just to the south. Los Angeles will see a pleasant 80 degrees, while San Diego enjoys a cooler 76. Keep an eye on hydration as these temps rise across the region!
Tonight, Flagstaff will drop to a chilly 49 degrees as cold air settles in. Ely is expected to see a low of 45, while Las Vegas will remain mild at 79. San Francisco will cool down to 51, with Fresno hitting a low of 62. Bakersfield will have a slightly warmer night at 66.
Tomorrow, temperatures in the Southwest region will soar, with Phoenix expected to reach a blistering 114 degrees, well above average for this time of year. Las Vegas is not far behind with a high of 110 degrees, maintaining its trend of extreme heat. In California, Bakersfield will see highs around 99 degrees, while Fresno is forecasted to hit 97 degrees. San Diego will experience a more temperate day at 80 degrees, providing a stark contrast to the scorching inland areas. San Francisco remains the cool spot at just 63 degrees, significantly lower compared to its surrounding cities.
For the Southwest, a cold front will bring active weather starting late Saturday. Northern California should prepare for several rounds of rain, leading to slick roads and tricky driving conditions through mountain passes. Southern California, including the San Bernardino Valley, will experience heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms. Temperatures will take a dip with cooler air settling in behind the front. Keep an eye out for localized flooding in low-lying areas as the rain persists into Sunday.
The UV index in Salt Lake City will be very high over the weekend, reaching 9 on both Saturday and Sunday. Sun exposure can result in burns in approximately 15 minutes.