ARIZONA NEWS

Phoenix to warm up again soon but don’t expect an early start to monsoon season

Jun 13, 2023, 4:25 AM

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)...

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — The official start to summer is about a week away and maybe by then, it’ll feel like it in Phoenix.

The city has experienced high temperatures that are less warm than usual so far in June, with the peaks averaging about three degrees less than average.

It’s a trend welcome for many but one that won’t last.

After one day in the last week with a triple-digit high, Phoenix will be back in the 100s by Wednesday, when it is forecast to be 102 degrees.

Temperatures will rise from there, with Thursday’s high expected to be 103 degrees before a jump to 105 degrees on Friday, 107 degrees on Saturday and 106 degrees on Sunday.

Don’t expect monsoon season, which officially starts Thursday, to accompany the typical summer highs.

Randy Cerveny, a climatologist and professor of geographical sciences at Arizona State University, said the strange Phoenix climate patterns have extended beyond the temperature.

“We normally start to see at this time of year … afternoon thunderstorms bubbling up in Mexico,” Cerveny told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday. “But if you look at a satellite image of Mexico right now, it’s bone dry.

“So there’s a lot of work that we’re going to need to do to get that moisture up from the Pacific Ocean and from the Gulf of California up into Arizona, so I’m not anticipating an early start the month.”

Last year’s monsoon season was strong across the metro area despite the official precipitation reading at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

The airport gauge received 2.23 inches of rain from June 15 to Sept. 30, making it the third-worst season in the past 11 years.

Some areas amassed precipitation totals far greater.

Apache Junction collected 8.71 inches of rain and Globe had 7.94 inches.

Typically, Apache Junction averages 3.92 inches of rain and Globe around 6 inches.

Most of Arizona remains out of a drought state following a strong winter of precipitation, especially in the high country.

“It is a very localized thing and while there are some general ideas that normally one half of the Valley might get more rain than the other half, that varies and it’ll be interesting to see what’s going to actually happen this year in terms of who are the big winners and who are the big losers,” Cerveny said.

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

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

File photo of a night-time crime scene in Phoenix, Arizona....

KTAR.com

Man killed after motorcycle crashes into car in Phoenix

Police are investigating a fatal collision involving a motorcycle and a car that took place in a Phoenix intersection

2 hours ago

(Photo provided by Peoria Police Department.)...

KTAR.com

Police seek assistance in locating endangered senior from Peoria

The Peoria Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating an 83-year-old man who has several medical conditions, for which he receives medical treatment.

3 hours ago

(Photo provided by Arizona Bike Week.)...

KTAR.com

Godsmack to headline concerts at 2024 Arizona Bike Week in Scottsdale

Alternative metal band Godsmack is scheduled to be the headline act at next year's Arizona Bike Week in Scottsdale

4 hours ago

police tape crime scene stock image photo police lights blue and red light...

KTAR.com

Police fatally shoot suicidal man brandishing knife in Mesa

Police shot and killed a suicidal man brandishing a knife on Friday afternoon in Mesa.

8 hours ago

A map from the city of Phoenix shows the location where the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix plans...

Angela Gonzales/Phoenix Business Journal

Catholic Newman Center planned at long-vacant Phoenix parcel near Grand Canyon University

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix has submitted a zoning application to build a church across the street from Grand Canyon University.

10 hours ago

(City of Buckeye Facebook Photo)...

Tom Kuebel

Buckeye celebrates groundbreaking of 444-unit residential community near downtown

Buckeye celebrated the groundbreaking of a 444-unit residential community near downtown.

20 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

SCHWARTZ LASER EYE CENTER

Key dates for Arizona sports fans to look forward to this fall

Fall brings new beginnings in different ways for Arizona’s professional sports teams like the Cardinals and Coyotes.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

...

re:vitalize

When most diets fail, re:vitalize makes a difference that shows

Staying healthy and losing weight are things many people in Arizona are conscious of, especially during the summer.

Phoenix to warm up again soon but don’t expect an early start to monsoon season