A little rain might fall in Phoenix after Christmas weekend
Dec 24, 2020, 4:00 PM
(Victoria Jones/PA via AP)
PHOENIX – The Phoenix area won’t see anything near a white Christmas, but it could get a slightly wet post-Christmas.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for temperatures in the normal range through the holiday weekend, with highs in the mid-60s and lows in the mid-40s.
But a Pacific low pressure system is expected to move into the Valley by Monday evening, bringing a 20%-30% chance for rain through Tuesday.
The system could also bring cooler air, with Tuesday’s forecast calling for a high of 59 degrees and a low of 37.
Before then, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued a high pollution advisory for the Phoenix area through Saturday.
Wood burning is restricted in Maricopa County during the advisory, including in residential fireplaces and outdoor pits.
If metro Phoenix sees any measurable rain next week, it would be the first time in more than three weeks.
It came down enough Dec. 9 and 10 to break a 110-day drought in the Valley.
Phoenix has seen only 15 days with measurable rain so far this year, according to the National Weather Service. The record for fewest days with measurable rain is 18 days.
This year’s monsoon season, defined as June 15-Sept. 30, saw only two days of rain in Phoenix for a total of 1 inch, well below the average of 2.71 inches.