FORECAST: Dangerous heat across Arizona

The hottest stretch of the year so far is here! That's why we've declared Wednesday and Thursday ABC15 Weather Action Days. Extreme Heat Warnings are in effect through Thursday for the Valley and much of southern and western Arizona, with Valley highs soaring between 111 and 115 degrees.

Extreme Heat Warnings through Thursday in the Valley

By: Jorge Torres

PHOENIX — The hottest stretch of the year so far is here!

That's why we've declared Wednesday and Thursday as ABC15 Weather Action Days.

Extreme Heat Warnings are in effect through Thursday for the Valley and much of southern and western Arizona, with Valley highs soaring between 111 and 115 degrees.

An Extreme Heat Warning also covers the Grand Canyon below 4,000 feet through Saturday. If a canyon hike is on your list this week, it's worth rethinking those plans.

Heat is the deadliest weather hazard in Arizona, and the little decisions make the biggest difference.

Limit your time outside during the hottest part of the day, stay hydrated even if you don't feel thirsty, and take breaks in the shade or air conditioning whenever you can.

Never leave kids or pets in a hot car, not even for a minute. And check on your neighbors, especially older adults and anyone without reliable cooling.

Meanwhile, the same ridge of high pressure driving this heat will also pull in some moisture over.

A few spotty showers and thunderstorms are possible this week, mainly along the Mogollon Rim, the White Mountains and southeast Arizona.

If that ridge shifts farther north and east, it could open the door to a more active round of monsoon storms across the state beginning this weekend and into next week.

Stay tuned for updates as we get closer.