An unusual mid-summer weather pattern is taking hold across Arizona, bringing some temporary relief from extreme heat and suppressing typical monsoon thunderstorm activity across the state.
Low Pressure Keeps Heat in Check
A weak but persistent low-pressure system is currently hovering just west of Arizona, capping temperatures and preventing them from reaching extreme levels. While parts of the state may see a high of 107°F on Saturday, forecasters expect a slight cooldown into the 104°F range by Sunday.
“This system is acting as a lid on our usual summertime heat,” meteorologists noted. “It’s also preventing the kind of unstable atmosphere we need for widespread desert monsoon activity.”
Limited Monsoon Thunderstorm Potential
As the low-pressure system remains stationary, thunderstorm activity is expected to remain limited, especially in the desert regions. Storms may still develop over the eastern mountains, but the rest of the state is unlikely to see significant rainfall over the next several days.
The pattern is expected to persist through the next 7 to 10 days, keeping monsoon activity unusually subdued for this time of year.
Outlook for Next Week
Later next week, the current low is forecast to merge with a separate storm system arriving from the Pacific Northwest. While this may bring subtle changes to the pattern, it’s not expected to trigger widespread monsoon storms immediately.
Forecast high temperatures in Arizona next week:
- Monday: 103°F
- Friday: Up to 109°F
Though the monsoon is currently quiet, weather experts urge residents not to let their guard down
