Phoenix Braces for Freezing Temperatures Amid Cold Snap

PHOENIX, Ariz. — A cold snap gripping the Phoenix area has prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a freeze watch, with temperatures expected to drop below freezing in parts of the Valley on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The chill follows months of above-average temperatures and marks a significant shift in weather patterns for the region.

Overnight lows are forecast to reach 34 degrees in Phoenix on Tuesday night, with some outlying areas dipping even lower. The NWS has warned residents to protect pets, plants, and pipes as the cold front moves through. “We’re at the backside of a large-scale weather system impacting much of the United States, bringing a lot of cold weather,” said Matt Salerno, a lead meteorologist at the NWS office in Phoenix. “A cold front is pushing through the West, funneling down the Colorado River Valley.”

The freeze watch, which could be upgraded to a warning, covers much of the metro area. Winds gusting up to 35 mph on Monday evening added to the challenges, with blowing dust reported in western Maricopa County. Residents were advised to secure loose outdoor items and prepare for the cold.

Despite the frigid start to the week, temperatures are expected to gradually warm, with daytime highs reaching the mid-60s by Wednesday and climbing into the low 70s by Friday. However, the cold snap has also raised hopes for rain, which could end Phoenix’s 151-day dry spell. The city is currently experiencing its second-longest stretch without rain, just shy of the 160-day record set in 1972.

“We’re hoping that streak will come to an end,” Salerno said. “All we need is a hundredth of an inch to end that streak at Sky Harbor, but we would prefer a lot more than that.” Forecasts indicate a 20% to 40% chance of rain Saturday night into Sunday, with rain chances continuing into next week as a slow-moving system lingers over the region.

In the meantime, residents are urged to take precautions. Covering outdoor plants, insulating exposed pipes, and bringing pets indoors are recommended to mitigate the effects of the freezing temperatures. The NWS also emphasized the importance of personal safety during the cold spell, particularly for vulnerable populations.