Arizona weather forecast: Series of storms to bring rain to Phoenix and the High Country

Arizona weather: Rain chances returning this weekend

Phoenix enjoys one last dry afternoon on Thursday before cloud cover and back-to-back systems bring rain showers and milder temperatures this weekend.

PHOENIX - There is one last day of dry weather before changes arrive in the forecast. High pressure is still influencing the Arizona forecast. As a result, the high is expected to reach 85 degrees this afternoon in Phoenix. It will be sunny and dry around the state.

Storms Brewing:

Beginning tomorrow, the first of a series of systems will pass the state. The first disturbance will run over the southern and central portions of Arizona. This will bring scattered showers and a few spot thunderstorms. Rain totals will remain fairly low, generally below a quarter inch in Phoenix. The only exception to the low totals will result from any thunderstorms that may briefly produce heavier rain. The showers are expected to develop from the southwest and spread northeast. In Phoenix, showers may arrive as early as the mid-afternoon and chances remain into the evening. The high temperature on Friday should slip to around 80 in Phoenix, thanks to the cloud coverage or more mild air moving over the state.

A second system passes along northern Arizona on the heels of the first system. This system will pass from Saturday morning to afternoon. As it passes, it will increase rain showers over northern Arizona. A few more showers will be possible in Phoenix, particularly through about midday. Showers will exit the state by Saturday night. The high temperature will slip again with a forecast of just 74 on Saturday afternoon in Phoenix.

On Sunday, dry weather will return across the state. Temperatures should rebound, at least a few degrees, throughout the state.

Looking Further Ahead:

Next week, the wet weather pattern will continue with an additional system expected next Tuesday. This system has the potential to bring more rain and potentially high elevation snow.

You can always check the latest weather conditions by visiting the FOX 10 Phoenix weather page, or download the Free FOX 10 Weather app, which is available on Apple iOS and Android.

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