Arizona – Cool desert air and dry pavement set the tone across central Arizona this morning as the first full weekend of winter gets underway. The air feels crisp before sunrise, but skies stay mostly clear, keeping travel smooth for holiday drivers heading out or returning home. For now, winter shows restraint, offering calm conditions before the calendar flips to 2026.
According to the National Weather Service in Phoenix, temperatures climb into the upper 60s to low 70s through the weekend, with clear to partly cloudy skies and light winds. Overnight lows dip into the 40s and 50s, allowing patchy frost in colder desert pockets but no widespread freeze concerns for metro Phoenix.
Across Maricopa County, highways including I-10, Loop 101, and State Route 51 remain dry through Sunday. Morning commuters may notice cooler steering wheels and brief windshield fog in low-lying areas, especially near washes. Plan extra time during early drives, but weather-related delays look unlikely.
Saturday and Sunday bring bright afternoons and comfortable travel weather for trips toward Flagstaff or Tucson, though temperatures fall quickly after sunset. Drivers heading north should pack layers, as higher elevations cool sharply even under clear skies.
Attention turns to the middle of next week as meteorologists track a subtle pattern shift ahead of New Year’s Eve on Wednesday. While no major impacts are locked in, a warm-to-cool transition could bring breezier conditions and cooler nights as 2026 begins. Travelers should stay flexible with plans and monitor updates as the holiday week wraps up.
Traveling this weekend or planning New Year’s trips? Let us know how conditions look where you are.
Five Day Forecast for Phoenix, Arizona
Friday: Increasing clouds, high near 72
Saturday: Partly sunny, high near 68
Sunday: Mostly sunny, high near 66
Monday: Sunny, high near 70
Tuesday: Sunny, high near 70
