It's been an extremely warm and dry winter, but the Phoenix area is in for a cooldown and maybe even some rain this week.
Temperatures in Phoenix so far in February have averaged about 8 degrees above normal, but at or below-normal temperatures are expected for the rest of this week. The National Weather Service forecasts high temperatures will drop to the 60s or low 70s starting Tuesday.
There is a slight chance of rain starting Wednesday, but the best chance for precipitation will be on Friday.
Since late August, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has had only 0.01 inch of rain. National Weather Service data shows the Phoenix area would typically accumulate almost 4 inches of rain in that timeframe. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports about 92% of Maricopa County is now in an extreme drought.
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The Valley’s unseasonably warm winter will continue this week, with high pressure maintaining temperatures in the low 80s through Tuesday. -
It's shaping up to be one of the hottest winters ever in Phoenix. And that affects gardening. -
December was the warmest ever recorded in the Valley. January wasn’t a record-breaker, but it’s on track to be the fourth-hottest ever for Phoenix. -
Cloud seeding is the practice of putting tiny particles, usually salts, into the atmosphere to increase precipitation chances. -
Temperatures in the Valley are projected to reach the mid- to upper 70s later in the week, which the National Weather Service said is well above what he would expect this time of year.
