Flagstaff, AZ – Powerful winds are set to return to northern Arizona on Monday. This will create difficult driving conditions for residents and travelers. High-profile vehicles on Interstate 40 and Interstate 17 could face significant crosswinds. The persistent gusts will also elevate fire weather concerns across the region’s high country.
According to the National Weather Service, south-southwest winds will increase Monday morning. They will reach 12 to 15 mph. Afternoon gusts could climb as high as 30 mph. Residents should secure loose outdoor items like patio furniture and trash cans before the strongest winds arrive. These conditions are expected to continue through the evening.
The windy pattern is not a one-day event. Similar conditions will persist throughout the workweek. Tuesday will see southwest winds with gusts reaching 29 mph. The pattern holds for Wednesday and Thursday, which is the Juneteenth holiday. Temperatures will remain warm, staying in the upper 80s for most of the week. This combination of dry heat and wind will keep fire danger elevated.
Officials advise avoiding outdoor burning and using caution with any potential sources of sparks. Blowing dust may also periodically reduce visibility on open stretches of highway. Drivers should allow for extra travel time and be prepared for sudden changes in conditions. The breezy and warm weather will continue into next weekend.
Here is a look at the five-day outlook for Flagstaff:
- Sunday: Sunny with a high near 89°F. West wind becoming southwest 11 to 16 mph in the morning, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Monday: Mostly clear, with a high near 88°F. Southwest wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly clear, with a high near 85°F. Southwest wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 89°F. Northwest wind around 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 16 mph.
- Thursday (Juneteenth): Mostly clear, with a high near 88°F. Southwest wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
