After a stormy few days in Arizona, sunshine and fall temps return Friday

Tucson residents can expect a break from the recent round of severe weather, with sunshine, calmer conditions and falllike temperatures arriving Friday and continuing through much of the weekend. Highs are forecast to stay in the upper 70s, cooler than normal for the region, giving people a more comfortable stretch for errands, outdoor work and recreation after days of wind, dust and storm concerns.

Friday night should be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 56 degrees. Saturday night is expected to be similarly calm, with a low near 55, while Sunday night should remain mostly clear with temperatures around 57. The forecast calls for mostly sunny or clear skies through the weekend, and the immediate outlook does not include another rain chance after Thursday.

The calmer pattern follows a period of unsettled weather across Arizona. Strong winds tied to a cold front and the remnants of Simon affected communities around the state, with parts of the Phoenix area recording gusts of up to 40 mph. Southeastern Arizona remained under high wind warnings through Saturday morning, with the possibility of gusts reaching 75 mph. Those conditions contributed to blowing dust and widespread haze, including a high pollution advisory for Pima and Pinal counties.

For people in Tucson and surrounding communities, the air quality concerns are especially relevant because windblown dust can affect residents with asthma, other respiratory conditions and sensitivity to poor air. The Phoenix area was reported to have unhealthy air for sensitive groups during the dust event. As winds ease, conditions are expected to improve, but residents traveling through open areas or working outside may still want to monitor local conditions, particularly if dust returns.

Elsewhere in Arizona, the recent weather pattern included light rain, clouds and cooler temperatures. A low pressure system southwest of the state helped produce scattered showers, although rainfall totals were limited in many places. Most of the Phoenix Valley received only about one hundredth of an inch, while some higher elevation areas picked up roughly a tenth of an inch. Spotty showers were also possible in the high country overnight and Sunday evening.

The pattern was expected to change again before the end of the broader forecast period. Monday was projected to be partly cloudy, with isolated showers and thunderstorms possible across portions of Arizona, while far western areas were expected to remain mainly dry. The Valley could see a few showers, especially during the evening, as temperatures warmed to about 89 degrees. Tuesday was expected to be warmer still, with Valley temperatures returning to the low 90s and isolated rain possible in the mountains of central, northern and southeastern Arizona.

A separate low pressure system moving in from off the California coast was forecast to bring rain and wind to Arizona Wednesday and Thursday, followed by another drop in temperatures. That outlook contrasts with the more immediate Tucson forecast, which calls for mostly dry, sunny conditions and no rain chances after Thursday. The difference reflects the changing timing and geographic reach of weather systems, so Tucson residents planning activities later next week should check updated forecasts as the system approaches.

After the midweek period, the forecast points toward a return to warmer but still mostly sunny weather. Highs may climb back into the low 80s, reaching about 83 degrees Wednesday in one outlook, followed by a high near 81 Thursday. Overnight temperatures should remain relatively mild, ranging from the mid-50s over the weekend to the low 60s next week. For anyone heading outside, officials continue to recommend drinking water before, during and after activity, limiting strenuous exertion during the hottest part of the day, and checking on people who may be vulnerable to heat illness.

Recent storms and wind also serve as a reminder that changing conditions can create hazards even when rainfall is light. Drivers should never attempt to cross a flooded roadway, and anyone who encounters rapidly rising water should leave the vehicle and move to higher ground. Residents should avoid downed power lines and standing water, use flashlights rather than open flames during outages, and follow evacuation instructions if flooding affects their neighborhood. For outdoor plans, carrying a phone, telling someone where you are going and when you expect to return, and checking conditions before leaving can help Tucsonans take advantage of the cooler weather safely.