After experiencing the wettest fall on record in Phoenix, forecasters said Arizona is due for a dry spell.
From Flagstaff, Darren McCollum with the National Weather Service said the start of meteorological winter on Monday comes with a short term period of dry and cooler weather.
"For the meteorological winter from December through February, looking at a precipitation outlook of favoring below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures," McCollum said.
McCollum also said that heat waves are still in store for the high county.
It’ll still be cold up north, he said, but expect temperatures warmer than the long-term average.
Metro Phoenix forecast from NWS
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67 and low around 44. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 68 and low around 42. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67 and low around 44. Calm wind.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68 and low around 45. Calm wind.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71 and low around 47. Calm wind.
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Phoenix typically does not hit 100 degrees until around May 2. This week will be the earliest the Valley has ever reached the triple-digits. -
Temperatures in Hermosillo reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit last week, smashing the record for the hottest February day. The temperature also surpassed 100 degrees Fahrenheit this week. -
We’re used to record hot summers these days in Phoenix, but this winter has got us all thinking about a new kind of heat record: record hot winters. -
La Niña climate patterns bring warmer, drier winters to the Southwest every few years. But climate change exacerbated this year’s La Niña conditions. -
Much of the U.S. was just blanketed in snow and ice. But in the West, states like Nevada are seeing unusually warm temperatures this year.
