Wednesday’s Tucson Forecast: Awaiting Winter’s return

TODAY’S BEAMISH BLOGCAST

THE CLIFF NOTES

Today – Sunny & breezy. 70°, east wind 10-20 MPH.

Tonight – Clear. 46°, southeast wind 5-10 MPH.

Tomorrow – Mostly sunny. 73°, west wind 5-10 MPH.

FORECAST DISCUSSION

Consider the next 72 hours the calm before the storm.

Sunshine prevails this afternoon. Gusty east winds develop today, as a storm system pushes south of the state. Highs peak in the low 70s for Metro Tucson, running 2-5° above average.

Winds decrease tomorrow as highs return to the low 70s.

A strong Winter storm begins to make inroads by Friday. Gusty winds redevelop during the afternoon hours, accompanied by a 10% chance of showers. Rain chances increase to 80% late Saturday afternoon, decreasing to 60% by Sunday morning. Cooler temps filter in behind the cold front, as highs struggle to reach the low to mid 60s.

Models in good agreement on valley rain/mt snow late Saturday – early Sunday. Snow level potentially down to 6,000 feet. #azwx #KVOAwx pic.twitter.com/zkDbwKzKpR

— Jeff Beamish (@jeffbeamish) February 15, 2017

Valley floors could pick up 0.30-0.75″ rain between Saturday and Sunday. Snow levels look to drop to 6,000 feet, with Mount Lemmon potentially picking up 5-15″ snow. Upwards of 20″ snow is possible for the White Mountains this weekend.

Calmer weather prevails early next week, as rain chances and winds decrease. Highs return to the low 70s as early as Tuesday.