NWS Phoenix

News Headlines

This Day in Weather History

Click a location below for detailed forecast.

Last Map Update: Tue, Oct 20, 2026 at 10:30:15 am MST

Watches, Warnings & Advisories

National Weather Service NWS Flagstaff, AZ

Zoom Out

National Weather Service Albuquerque, NM

National Weather Service NWS Tucson Arizona

Beach Hazards Statement

Flood Watch

Significant Weather Starting Wednesday

Flood Watch

Excessive Rainfall Outlook

Wednesday SPC Outlook

Temperature Outlook

The amplified low pressure system is off the northern CA coast and is expected to continue pulling in well-above normal moisture into the Desert Southwest. This will result in heightened rain chances starting on Wednesday and into Thursday. The highest rain chances (50-90%) are expected across south-central AZ and the eastern AZ high terrain. Current forecast is between 0.25-1.00” across the lower deserts and 1.50-2.50” across the higher terrain areas.

Due to anticipated excessive rainfall a Flood Watch has been issued starting Wednesday morning in the AZ High Terrain and will expand to portions of the lower deserts, to include to Phoenix metro, by Wednesday evening. The lower deserts will be under the effect of the Flood Watch through Thursday afternoon, while the higher terrain areas will go through until Thursday evening.

The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has placed areas from Phoenix and points north and east in a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall leading to flash flooding for both Wednesday and Thursday.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has put portions of the lower deserts and the eastern AZ high terrain in a Marginal to Slight risk for severe weather. The two primary threats will be wind and hail, with the eastern high terrain between 15-20% and the lower deserts between 5-14%. Meanwhile, there is also a small 2-4$ chance of an isolated weak tornado.

After temperatures peak today, an approaching weather system will send daily highs on a cooling trend through the remainder of the workweek. Readings by Friday will be around 5-10 degrees below normal for this time of year.