Arizona – The desert sky glows faintly pink at sunrise, the air crisp but still comfortable — the kind of calm that defines Thanksgiving week in Phoenix. Palm fronds sway gently over quiet freeways as travelers hit the road under clear skies and 70-degree warmth, a welcome contrast to the blizzards hammering the northern U.S. this week.
According to the National Weather Service in Phoenix, the Valley will see sunshine and calm winds through Thanksgiving Day, offering ideal travel conditions across Interstates 10, 17, and 8. Highs hover near 77°F Wednesday and 75°F on Thanksgiving, with cool, pleasant evenings dipping into the low 50s.
Friday continues the pattern — sunny, dry, and seasonal, perfect for Black Friday shoppers, hikers, and early decorators. Winds remain light, though forecasters note a gradual shift from east to northeast breezes signaling subtle changes in the regional air pattern.
By Sunday into early next week, models hint at a 20–30% chance of light rain and slightly cooler air, bringing highs back into the upper 60s by Monday. While it’s far from a winter storm, the change marks the beginning of a broader December cooldown, expected to spread across much of the West and Plains after December 1.
Travelers returning home from Thanksgiving may notice stronger winds and dropping temps across northern Arizona, where nighttime readings could flirt with freezing in high-elevation towns.
For now, Phoenix enjoys the kind of late-fall perfection locals brag about — crisp mornings, golden sunsets, and one last stretch of warmth before the winter chill begins its slow descent toward the desert Southwest.
