Arizona Braces for Windy, Chilly Weather as Dry Streak Continues

PHOENIX, Ariz. — A dry weather system sweeping across Arizona is bringing chilly temperatures and strong winds to the region, with a Wind Advisory in effect for parts of western Arizona through Tuesday. The National Weather Service predicts gusts up to 45 mph along the California-Arizona border, including Lake Havasu City and Yuma.

Morning temperatures across the Valley are expected to drop into the upper 30s to low 40s, with desert areas near freezing on Tuesday and Wednesday. The high country will see even colder conditions, with wind chills plunging below zero in some areas. “Make sure to stay bundled up even in the afternoon,” warned meteorologists, as wind chills in the high country could remain in the teens.

The weather system is part of a larger pattern affecting much of the U.S., with a trough bringing arctic air to the central and eastern states. While Arizona will avoid the worst of the cold, temperatures in Phoenix will hover in the lower 60s on Tuesday before rebounding to the mid-60s by Wednesday and the 70s by the weekend.

Phoenix is also experiencing a significant dry streak, with Sunday marking the 150th consecutive day without measurable rain at Sky Harbor International Airport. This is the second-longest dry streak on record, just 10 days shy of the all-time record set in 1972. The city’s rainfall averages have also declined in recent decades, with the monsoon season now averaging 2.43 inches of rain, down from 2.71 inches in previous years.

Residents are advised to prepare for windy conditions and chilly mornings, particularly in northern and western Arizona. The Wind Advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. MST on Tuesday.