First, we continue to track three wildfires burning around the Valley, including the Siphon Fire in the Superstitions, the Point Fire northeast of New River, and the Gate Fire northeast of the McDowell Mountains. Smoke from these fires was noted on satellite moving toward the northeast, away from the Valley yesterday (Thursday), with a similar smoke pattern expected today. We could see some light smoke in the far East Valley of Phoenix (far east Mesa and Apache Junction) tonight into early Saturday morning as some smoke drains down Weekes Wash.

As for the overall weather pattern, the two main features to watch are the trough off the West Coast and Tropical Storm Ileana, which is currently about 95 miles southeast of the tip of Baja. While this system will not directly impact Arizona as a tropical storm, the trough off the coast may help to pull remnant moisture into Arizona this weekend, with rain chances increasing late Saturday through Sunday, with the highest totals forecast to be in the higher terrain just north and east of the Valley.

To start next week, a much larger trough will move into the area, and while it might not bring any rain, it will help drop afternoon high temperatures into the upper 80s to low 90s by Tuesday!

Regarding air quality, we forecast ozone to be in the Good AQI category throughout the period, given the more active weather pattern. PM-10 is forecast to be in the Moderate AQI category today and again Monday given some morning stagnation and gusty winds Monday afternoon, which may produce some pockets of blowing dust.

Have a great weekend!

- M. Pace
ADEQ Meteorologist