PHOENIX — All eyes are on Hurricane Hilary as major impacts across the Desert Southwest are expected this weekend and into the start of next week, including here in Arizona.
Hurricane Hilary has strengthened to a major hurricane and is spinning off of the western coast of Mexico. It will be moving north along the Baja Peninsula over the next few days.
Chances for more rain and monsoon storms will increase over the next few days. Any thunderstorms that develop could produce powerful wind gusts, areas of heavy rain, dangerous lightning and possible isolated spin-up tornadoes along the Colorado River Valleys.
Parts of Arizona are already seeing minor flooding and river levels rising and we could see flooding continue around our state as moisture from Hurricane Hilary flows in. Be alert. Turn around don't drown.
Flood Watches are in effect across western Arizona through Monday. Flooding will be possible in creeks, normally dry washes and slot canyons. Low-water crossings could also become flooded and streets could be washed out in some spots. Do not attempt to cross any flooded roadways, it will be dangerous or even deadly to do so.
Hilary will also bring gusty winds across southwestern Arizona this Sunday, prompting Wind Advisories from western Pima, Pinal and Maricopa County. Gusts may approach 50 mph in these areas, causing difficult driving conditions and minor tree damage.
A High Wind Watch For Yuma and La Paz County for Sunday. Gusts may approach 65 mph in these areas, causing difficult driving conditions and minor tree damage.
For the Valley, expect breezy conditions this weekend with gusts between 25-35 mph with possible isolated wind gusts of 40 mph.
All of this incoming moisture will also drop temperatures, bringing Valley highs down into the upper 90s to low 100s Sunday and Monday.
Temperatures will steadily climb throughout next week and we could approach 110 degrees again by the end of the week.
Phoenix has now had 46 days this summer at 110 degrees or hotter. That's the second most ever recorded. The record is 53 days set in 2020 and we will definitely make a run at that record this year as high heat continues through August.
This year has also tied the record for the most lows in the 90s in any year. We're now up to 29 days with lows in the 90s, breaking the record of 28 days set in 2020. We will likely add a few more to this tally before the summer ends.
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2023 Rainfall totals:
Sky Harbor Official Rainfall: 2.90" (-1.50" from average)
Valley Average (Phoenix Rainfall Index): 3.66"
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Daily rainfall reports from all across the Valley can be found here.
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PHOENIX IS GETTING DRIER - LOWER RAINFALL AVERAGES NOW
Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 2.71" of rain
NEW Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 2.43" of rain
Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 8:03" of rain
NEW Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 7.22" of rain
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