FORECAST: More record heat possible before a temperature drop sets in

Phoenix wrapped up a very warm day, hitting 86 degrees and tying a record that’s been in place since 1970. Looking ahead to Monday, we may be right back at it again, with highs forecast near 86, putting another record at risk.

Record heat for the Valley, when will we cool down?

By: Justin Hobbs

PHOENIX — Phoenix wrapped up a very warm day, hitting 86 degrees and tying a record that’s been in place since 1970. Looking ahead to Monday, we may be right back at it again, with highs forecast near 86, putting another record at risk.

The start of the week will stay unusually warm, with temperatures running 10 to 15 degrees above normal. That’s thanks to a strong ridge of high pressure, though it is beginning to weaken as a series of storms starts lining up to our west.

Monday and Tuesday will be mostly sunny with highs in the 80s. If you’re spending time outdoors, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and using sunscreen.

The UV index will be in the moderate range, meaning sunburn can happen in as little as 45 minutes between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Seek shade when possible, wear a hat, and reapply sunscreen throughout the day.

Changes arrive midweek. A quick-moving system on Wednesday could bring some rain or snow to northern Arizona. Then, a larger storm system is expected late in the week, bringing rain chances to the Valley and snow to the High Country and White Mountains by Friday.

It’s still too early to nail down totals, but cooler air will move in with this system, dropping Valley highs closer to normal, back into the lower 70s by the end of the week.