Dust Risk-Based Forecast | Maricopa County

Updated On: 10/25/21 - 8:57 AM       [View Previous Forecast]

Tuesday

Stagnation: Morning and evening stagnation

Wind: West winds of 5-15 mph

Wednesday

Stagnation: Morning and evening stagnation

Wind: Mainly light winds

Thursday

Stagnation: Morning and evening stagnation

Wind: Light northerly winds

Friday

Stagnation: Morning and evening stagnation

Wind: Light northerly winds

Saturday

Stagnation: Morning and evening stagnation

Wind: Light southerly winds

Forecast Discussion:

A strong low-pressure system that has left an abundant amount of rainfall for areas in the Pacific Northwest these last couple of days is going to swing through Arizona later today into tomorrow. The main impact that will be seen here in the Valley is strong winds throughout the afternoon, evening, and overnight hours. Sustained wind speeds are expected to be between 10-20 mph with higher gusts possible. We can't rule out the possibility of a few isolated showers tonight either. Precipitation chances will be greatest over northern Arizona and areas of higher elevation throughout the valley.

Halfway through the workweek, this disturbance will be moving eastward toward the midwest allowing for high pressure once again to build over the region. We will see a cooling trend for the next couple of days, but once the ridge begins to form over the southwest, we'll start to see temperatures in the high 80s. Winds will also revert to calm northerly conditions.

After today/early tomorrow morning the weather story for Phoenix will start to sound like a broken record with warm weather, calm winds, and clear skies.

The main concern will be dust levels this week with stronger winds today and tomorrow and then stagnate conditions the rest of the week. There are no Hight Pollution Watches or Adviorsies in place for this forecast period, but we will likely see elevated hours of PM10 throughout the morning and evening hours this week.

Have a great start to your week!

- P. Swenson
ADEQ Meteorologist