Overview
- Phoenix logged back-to-back record highs in the low 80s on Sunday and Monday, with additional record-challenging days possible from Friday through Christmas Eve.
- Forecasts keep highs in the upper 70s to low 80s through early next week, with mid-70s Wednesday before temperatures climb again and slight rain chances appearing around Christmas if the pattern shifts.
- Maricopa County issued No Burn Days for Wednesday and Thursday due to particle pollution, prohibiting wood fires and advising sensitive groups to limit exposure, especially in the morning.
- Northern Arizona will turn breezy under a strong jet stream to the north, with gusts near 15–25 mph Wednesday, 20–30 mph Thursday and 30–40 mph Friday, while the Phoenix area stays mostly light on wind.
- Experts say a warming climate increases the odds of record highs, and vegetation boosted by a wet fall could dry out and raise wildfire risk if the warm, dry pattern persists.