Valley Heads Into Cooling Trend, Could See 70s Soon

Temperatures expected to dip below normal for first time this spring.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:49pm

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A vast, majestic desert landscape painting with hazy, golden light and distant mountain ranges, conveying the sublime scale of the natural environment.The sweeping, atmospheric landscape captures the dramatic shift in weather patterns that will bring cooler temperatures to the Phoenix area this weekend.Phoenix Today

The Phoenix metropolitan area is heading into a cooling trend this weekend, with temperatures expected to drop into the lower 80s and potentially reaching the 70s by early next week. This comes after a record-hot March, and the cooler weather is a welcome change for residents looking to enjoy outdoor activities.

Why it matters

After an unusually hot start to spring, the cooling trend provides relief for Phoenix residents and could lead to increased outdoor activity and energy savings. The shift in weather patterns also highlights the region's vulnerability to climate change and the importance of monitoring long-term temperature trends.

The details

According to the National Weather Service, a weather disturbance moving towards Arizona will slowly cool temperatures through the weekend, with highs expected to drop from the 90s on Thursday and Friday to the lower 80s. By early next week, Phoenix could see highs struggling to reach 80 degrees, the first time since March 10 when it was still winter.

  • Temperatures will be in the 90s on Thursday and Friday.
  • Highs will decrease to the lower 80s through the weekend.
  • There's a chance highs on Monday and Tuesday could struggle to reach 80 degrees.

The players

Mark O'Malley

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix.

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What they’re saying

“We're looking at a weather disturbance moving slowly toward Arizona. So, temperatures will only slowly cool through the weekend. But we are looking for much more seasonal weather as we head into early next week.”

— Mark O'Malley, Meteorologist

“Through the weekend, high temperatures will decrease from the middle and upper 80s down into the lower 80s. … There's a chance that high temperatures on Monday and Tuesday of next week will even struggle to reach 80 degrees.”

— Mark O'Malley, Meteorologist

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the cooling trend and provide updated forecasts as the weekend approaches.

The takeaway

The cooling trend in Phoenix is a welcome relief after a record-hot March, and could lead to increased outdoor activity and energy savings. However, the region's vulnerability to climate change underscores the importance of closely tracking long-term temperature patterns.