A strengthening Hurricane Hilary was near major storm status off Mexico’s Pacific coast Thursday, and it could bring heavy rain to the southwestern U.S. by the weekend.
The area potentially affected by heavy rainfall could stretch from Bakersfield, California, to Yuma, Arizona, as well as some parts of southern Nevada.
The hurricane center said that as Hilary moves onto or brushes the Baja peninsula, it could possibly survive briefly as a tropical storm or tropical depression and cross the U.S. border.
No tropical storm has made landfall in Southern California since Sept. 25, 1939, according to the National Weather Service.
Rain even at Sky Harbor
Some parts of the Valley saw rain Tuesday night with as much as a half-an-inch in central and northern Phoenix.
Sky Harbor Airport, where the National Weather Service in Phoenix measures rainfall, only got a trace of rain. This continues its 145-day dry streak — just 15 days short of breaking a record.
NWS Meteorologist Gabriel Lojero says thunderstorms are expected this weekend, even at Sky Harbor. The activity may also get the Valley out of its triple-digit heat.
“In fact, Sunday we may only be in the 90s for high temperatures, which will be the first time since June 13 that we’ll have a high temperature below 100,” Lojero said.
But for now, an excessive heat warning is in effect until Thursday.
The low temperature this morning at PHX Sky Harbor Airport was 93 degrees. That's 9 degrees above normal/average. If we don't get any cooler than that before midnight, it will be a new record warm low temperature for the date. Previous record: 91 degrees in 2015 and 1992. pic.twitter.com/jttTVfcCyc
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 17, 2023
Phoenix 5-day forecast
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 112. At night, 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 a.m. Mostly clear during the early evening, then becoming mostly cloudy, with a low around 90.
Friday: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 105. At night, showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 88.
Saturday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 98. At night, a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 81.
Sunday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 97. Chance of precipitation is 40%. At night, a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 82.
Monday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 98. At night, a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Partly cloudy, with a low around 82.
Source: National Weather Service
