An Extreme Heat Warning takes effect Tuesday at 10 a.m. and remains in place through 8 p.m. Thursday as a strengthening dome of high pressure builds directly over Arizona, pushing daytime temperatures into the 110s across the Phoenix metropolitan area. Forecast highs during the core of the event are expected to range from roughly 111 to 116 degrees, prompting meteorologists to issue First Alert Weather days for the region and urging residents to prepare for an extended period of dangerous heat.
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Broadcast graphic showing near‑record forecast highs for the weekend and start of next week — Saturday 110°, Sunday 114°, Monday 112° — highlighting First Alert days for the Phoenix area.
The heat wave will build in stages. Forecast models show Phoenix-area highs for the day will climb to roughly 105 to 110 degrees, about 5 to 10 degrees warmer than readings on the Fourth of July as skies clear after a cloudier holiday weekend. By Monday, multiple locations across the Valley are expected to reach 110 degrees or higher, though that day is anticipated to fall just below the threshold for triggering the Extreme Heat criteria.
Temperatures rise further on Tuesday with predicted highs in the 110 to 114-degree range. The hottest day of the stretch appears likely to be Wednesday, when thermometers could top out between about 112 and 116 degrees. Thursday is forecast to remain inside the core of the heat wave as the high-pressure ridge still influences the region; a continuation of warnings into Friday will depend on how rapidly the high shifts westward later in the week.
Nighttime conditions will provide only limited relief. Overnight lows are expected to hover in the mid-80s and may climb into the low 90s within the urban core of Phoenix as the week progresses, warmer than normal owing to a slight uptick in low-level moisture. Those elevated overnight temperatures can make recovery from daytime heat more difficult for residents and for systems that rely on cooler nights to recover.
The modest increase in low-level moisture is not forecast to translate to meaningful rainfall across the Valley through Thursday. Isolated storm activity may redevelop over higher-elevation terrain east of Globe by Tuesday or Wednesday, but the probability that any of that precipitation will reach the lower deserts — including Phoenix — remains low during the warning period. A better opportunity for monsoon moisture to push into south-central Arizona may not materialize until next weekend if and only if the high-pressure pattern shifts enough to allow deeper moisture to advect into the region.
Weather map highlighting a Fire Weather Watch (Wednesday 11 AM–8 PM) across parts of Arizona, illustrating elevated fire and wind risk during the extreme heat period.
Fire-weather concerns and elevated winds will accompany the heat in places outside the immediate urban core. A Fire Weather Watch has been highlighted across portions of Arizona for parts of the week, indicating a period when dry fuels, gusty winds and low humidity could increase the potential for wildfire spread. While the most intense heat is focused on the Phoenix metro area, surrounding communities and wildland-urban interfaces will need to monitor fire conditions closely, particularly during the midday and afternoon hours when temperatures peak and relative humidity bottoms out.
Even after the current Extreme Heat Warning is scheduled to expire late Thursday evening, forecast guidance suggests temperatures will remain above seasonal norms into the following week. That persistence of heat means the region may face continued stress on energy systems, increased demand for cooling, and prolonged periods when outdoor activities are hazardous without proper precautions. Local weather officials continue to evaluate the pattern and will adjust watches and warnings as necessary based on how quickly the upper-level ridge shifts and whether monsoonal moisture can penetrate the region.
Over the coming days, Phoenix-area residents are being advised to take established heat-safety measures: stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest hours, check on vulnerable family members and neighbors, and know the signs of heat-related illness. Cooling centers and other resources are often activated during prolonged heat events; those services and the timing of any local advisories will be announced by municipal and county authorities if conditions warrant. The current pattern is one of widespread, multi-day extreme heat, with the highest readings expected from Tuesday through Thursday and a possibility for lingering high temperatures beyond that window.
The National Weather Service Phoenix reported that the city reached 110°F on Monday under clearer skies, running three degrees above normal. This confirms the building heat trend and comes with a continued call for residents to practice heat safety measures throughout the week.
Maricopa County launched its 2026 Heat Relief Network on May 1, providing an interactive Heat Relief Map of cooling centers, hydration stations and respite sites across the Valley and expanding 2‑1‑1 call center support (staffed daily) to help residents locate heat‑relief resources.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health confirmed the county’s first heat‑related death of the 2026 season on April 10, identifying the individual as an older adult male and urging residents to use cooling resources and check on vulnerable neighbors.
Salt River Project said it will more than double its heat‑resiliency investment to about $1.3 million to fund nonprofits that operate cooling and respite centers, provide emergency AC repairs and replacements for income‑eligible homeowners, and increase outreach to people experiencing homelessness.
On April 15 the Arizona Attorney General announced a $7 million settlement with Arizona Public Service that, among other terms, reinstates a 95‑degree hold preventing residential disconnections when the next day’s forecast reaches 95°F or higher and directs APS to provide consumer relief and programmatic improvements.