Cold front bringing cooler temperatures, windy conditions to metro Phoenix

PHOENIX — A cold front hit metro Phoenix and surrounding areas on Wednesday, bringing lower temperatures and high winds.

The National Weather Service forecast called for highs of 63 degrees on Wednesday and 60 on Thursday, with overnight lows dipping into the 30s. The highs had been in the 70s in recent days.

“But the main effect we’re going to see with the system today is actually going to be some strong winds,” Sean Benedict of the National Weather Service in Phoenix told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.

Benedict said winds could reach the 40-50 mph range west of Phoenix. He said motorists on Interstate 10 and Interstate 8 in the western portion of the state should be prepared for strong crosswinds and low visibility from blowing dust Wednesday from late morning through the evening.

Wind gusts of 25-35 mph have been common but expect those to strengthen to 45+ mph soon and lasting through this afternoon. Yes, there will probably be some areas w/blowing dust too. After the winds comes the much colder temps! #cawx #azwx pic.twitter.com/ITTNGFirpz

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) February 2, 2022

The gusts won’t be quite as strong in metro Phoenix, Benedict said.

“The winds are going to be a little bit lighter around the Valley, mainly in the 15-20 mph range, but it could pick up later this evening as we get a little bit of a wind shift more to the north,” he said. “So we could even get some of the northern parts of the Valley getting up to 20-30 mph.”

Benedict said the cooldown could last until the weekend, but the system isn’t expected to bring any rain to the Phoenix area.

Metro Phoenix temperatures are expected to ease upward starting Friday and return to the 70s by Sunday.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

Follow @KTAR923