Tucson, Arizona – Blue skies are giving way to building clouds across southern Arizona, and the quiet start to Monday won’t last. Heat will build through midday before monsoon thunderstorms begin developing this afternoon, bringing the potential for sudden downpours, gusty winds, and dangerous lightning across the Tucson area.
According to the National Weather Service in Tucson, Monday will be mostly sunny with a high near 98 degrees. A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms develops after 2 p.m., with light morning winds becoming west at 6 to 11 mph during the afternoon. While many neighborhoods will stay dry, any storm that forms could quickly create hazardous travel conditions.
The greatest concern arrives from late afternoon into the evening as storms develop over nearby mountain ranges before drifting into the valley. Brief heavy rain, lightning, localized flooding in low-lying washes, and wind-driven dust are all possible with stronger cells. Motorists along Interstate 10, Interstate 19, State Route 210, and Kolb Road should prepare for rapidly changing visibility if storms move across the metro.
Storm coverage increases Monday night, with the National Weather Service calling for a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before conditions gradually settle after midnight. Another 40 percent chance returns Tuesday as afternoon highs reach 96 degrees, followed by a 30 percent chance Wednesday with temperatures climbing to 100 degrees.
By Thursday, drier air briefly returns with mostly sunny skies and a high near 104 degrees, although isolated monsoon activity remains possible during the evening. Across the Southwest, monsoon moisture will continue supporting scattered thunderstorms through midweek while summer heat persists.
Five-Day Forecast for Tucson, Arizona
- Monday: High 98°F. Mostly sunny. 10% chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
- Tuesday: High 96°F. 40% chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
- Wednesday: High 100°F. 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
- Thursday: High 104°F. Sunny with a 10% chance of evening thunderstorms.
- Friday: High 105°F. Sunny and hot.
