Over 110-degree days are on tap for this weekend in Phoenix

After a brief reprieve from the heat Thursday morning, with temperatures in the upper 70s, record-breaking heat is expected to return Friday and throughout the weekend. 

According to the National Weather Service Phoenix office, the lows in metro Phoenix this Friday and into the weekend are in the mid to high 80s and will rise to highs between 110 and 114.

An excessive heat warning will take effect starting Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. to Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. impacting the lower deserts of south central and southern Arizona.

This weekend is poised to break records once more as Phoenix returns to above-100-degree days. This latest spike in Phoenix temperatures is due to the high-pressure system slowly making its way across the state and blocking any moisture. 

As the high-pressure system continues to move across the state, it will weaken and potentially increase chances of rain later in the week. Temperatures will dip back down to the lower 100s, and chances of rain will start Tuesday evening with a slight probability of rain at 20%.

Austin Jamison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Phoenix office, said the Valley has had an exceptionally dry monsoon due to the fewer number of storms the area normally sees.

The Arizona monsoon season starts approximately in June and continues through September. Since 2008, the established dates from the National Weather Service are from June 15 through Sept. 30.

As of Sept. 6, Jamison said Sky Harbor has only seen 0.13 inches of rain — the average rainfall amount between June 15 to Sept. 6 is 2.01.

"We're way behind," Jamison said.

An exact reason why the Phoenix-area has had such a dry monsoon would be hard to determine without an in-depth study, Jamison said, but noted the lack of humidity made it difficult for storms to form in the area.

"We need to get humid air into the region to be able to get thunderstorms to form," Jamison said.

Jamison said the wind patterns from the Gulf of Mexico and other more humid areas need to be enough to blow the humid air into the Valley, otherwise that can leave the Valley with hot, dry days with very little cloud coverage.

Hot weather tips

The Arizona Department of Health Services provided tips to prevent heat-related illness:

• Drink water: It is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of water per day if people are staying inside all day. Those who spend time outdoors should drink 1 to 2 liters per hour they are outside.
• Dress for the heat: wear light-weight and light-colored clothing. Sunscreen should always be applied to exposed skin and it is recommended to wear a hat or use an umbrella when outdoors.
• Eat small meals and eat more often: They recommend avoiding foods high in protein that increase metabolic heat
• Monitor those at risk: Check on friends, family or others for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. 
• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity: It is recommended to only do strenuous activity during the coolest hours of the day, between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Stay indoors
• Take breaks when engaged in physical activity: Take a break in a cool place when doing activity outside on a hot day.