FORECAST: How hot will this week be, and where will it rain?

After a weekend with near-normal temperatures, heat builds quickly across Arizona as a strong ridge of high pressure strengthens over the Desert Southwest. In the Valley, highs climb back toward 110 degrees early in the week, with temperatures potentially reaching around 115 by Thursday.

Scorching temperatures and monsoon moisture returns

By: Justin Hobbs

PHOENIX — After a weekend with near-normal temperatures, heat builds quickly across Arizona as a strong ridge of high pressure strengthens over the Desert Southwest.

In the Valley, highs climb back toward 110 degrees early in the week, with temperatures potentially reaching around 115 by Thursday. A moderate heat risk is in place through Tuesday before increasing to a major heat risk for the remainder of the work week.

An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for the Grand Canyon below 4,000 feet on Monday and Tuesday. As the ridge strengthens, that warning may need to be expanded further into the week.

An Extreme Heat Watch is also in effect for southeastern Arizona, where temperatures could soar up to 111 degrees.

Additional heat alerts are likely in the days ahead. Remember to limit time outdoors during peak heat, stay well hydrated, and listen to your body to help prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

That same ridge of high pressure may also begin to draw moisture back into Arizona, bringing a chance for monsoon storms across the high country by mid to late week. We’ll be watching that closely as we get a better handle on rain chances.

Winds will also increase through the week, with gusts potentially reaching around 30 mph in the Valley and over 40 mph across higher terrain by Friday.