Arizona could see first monsoon storms of year this weekend

PHOENIX — It’s been a hot summer so far in Arizona, but relief in the form of evening monsoon storms could be moving in as soon as this weekend.

“With the gradual increase in moisture, it looks like maybe by Saturday or Sunday night there will be a better chance to actually see some rain out there,” National Weather Service meteorologist Marvin Percha said Friday.

Phoenix has recorded blistering temperatures over the past few weeks. Friday’s high was expected to be 116 degrees.

Should the monsoon move in, those highs should drop. Sunday’s high was expected to be 108 degrees and Monday’s was expected to be 107.

Percha said the storms will be fueled by moisture from south of the border being pulled into Arizona.

“Slowly starting to work our way into the monsoon,” he said. “We’re beginning to bring moisture in from Mexico. We’re expecting a gradual uptick in monsoon activity over the next few days.”

In a Thursday tweet, the weather service said isolated storms are expected throughout Arizona’s lower deserts — including Phoenix. Some of the high country could see scattered storms.

Do you like mother nature's fireworks more than the Fourth of July? Monsoon storms will be possible by this weekend. #azwx pic.twitter.com/EtshxzEoKQ

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 5, 2017

Some rain did find its way into the Valley on Thursday night, but it was scattered and light.

KTAR News’ Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.