Arizona weather forecast: Record-breaking heat hits Phoenix
Evening Weather Forecast - 3/15/26
It was a warm weekend, but record warmth is still yet to arrive. FOX 10's Erica Horvatin has more on the incoming extreme heat this week.
PHOENIX - It was a warm weekend with above-average temperatures and record heat in the coming days.
Today:
Sunday was a record-tying warm day in the Valley, with a high temperature of 92 degrees in Phoenix. The area also saw record warmth on Friday.
The record temperatures we have seen over the past few days are nothing compared to what we are going to experience later this week as a major heatwave takes over Arizona.
Looking Ahead:
A lake wind advisory is in effect for the Colorado River Valley, including Lake Mead, Lake Havasu and Bullhead City, through Monday evening, as northerly wind gusts up to 45 mph are expected.
Monday morning will cool to around 63 degrees in Phoenix. It will be a mostly to partly sunny day, with a high of 93 degrees.
Monday will not be a record warm day across the state, but as high pressure strengthens Tuesday and Wednesday, temperatures will soar into the upper 90s and 100s, respectively.
On Tuesday, Flagstaff and Prescott will start to see record warmth.
Later This Week:
The rest of the state will catch up Wednesday through Sunday, with record hot temperatures expected in all corners of Arizona. This is unprecedented warmth, and most of Arizona cities will see their warmest March temperatures since records began in the 1890s.
The peak of the heat wave will be Thursday through Saturday. There will be extreme heat watches for the deserts of southern and western Arizona from Wednesday through Sunday, due to the high risk of heat illness during this early-season heat. Skies will stay mainly sunny and dry all week.
A significant shift in the weather pattern is expected to arrive early next week. A second ridge of high pressure is moving toward the Desert Southwest, which will facilitate a long stretch of triple-digit temperatures.
This Past Weekend:
Phoenix hit a high of 92 degrees on Saturday, with the average sitting at 78 degrees. We were just a few degrees shy of breaking our 95 degree record that was set in 2013.
There was record-breaking heat on Friday as a spring warm-up began to push temperatures well above historical averages across Arizona. The Valley reached a high of 93 degrees, breaking the previous record of 92 degrees. That record was most recently tied in 2017, but the original mark dates back to the 1970s.
We're supposed to be in the 70s. These are historical temperature readings that have not been seen in a very long time.
As of Friday afternoon, Phoenix sat at 92 degrees while surrounding areas like Scottsdale and Ahwatukee also hit the 90s. Glendale and Goodyear reached 91 degrees. Elsewhere in the state, Lake Havasu hit 93 degrees, while the high country remained cooler, with Flagstaff recording a high of 66 degrees.
Overnight lows in the Valley dipped into the 60s, and Gila Bend at 60 degrees. Flagstaff saw a much cooler 37 degrees overnight.
Weekend Weather Forecast: March 13-15
Our well-above average temperatures return us to the 90s each afternoon through the weekend and early next week.
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Scroll down this page for satellite and radar, day planner, records, current temperatures, 10-day forecast, forecast highs, and recent rainfall totals, plus live video feeds.
The following heat safety information was provided by the Scottsdale Fire Department.
What are Heat Emergencies?
Heat Cramps: Profuse sweating, fatigue, extreme thirst, muscle cramps
Heat Exhaustion: Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea/vomit, Cool/moist skin
Heat Stroke: Elevated temp. +103degrees, confusion/irrational behavior, dry/hot skin, rapid shallow breathing, rapid weak pulse (shock), seizures, unconscious
What to do
- Get person into shade or cool location
- Cool person with cool, wet cloths (neck, groin, armpits, head) and fan body
- Sip cool water if person is alert
- For muscle cramps, massage muscles gently, but firmly until relaxed
- *If symptoms worsen, call 911
What not to do
- Do not give anything by mouth if person is vomiting, unable to swallow or unconscious
- Do not underestimate the seriousness of a heat emergency
- Prevention/Preparation for hike/exercise in heat
Know your limitations
- Hydrate (begins day prior to hike/exercise, hour before hike, during and after)
- Wear proper clothing, lightweight and light color, protect head, proper shoes
- Always carry a cell phone and best to hike with company
- Always tell someone where you are hiking and when to plan to return
Preventing heat exhaustion/heat stroke
The Arizona Department of Health Services stated the following precautions can be taken to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke:
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings
- Find a cooling center/hydration station
- Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day (mid-day)
- Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors at least twice a day
- Drink water before, during, and after working or exercising outside
- Check the UV Index
- Check the heat risk map
Road Conditions
- Call 511 anywhere in Arizona or 1-888-411-ROAD (7623)
- az511.com
The Source: Information for this story was gathered from the FOX 10 Weather Experts.