Rio Rico, Arizona 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

417
FXUS65 KTWC 190830
AFDTWC

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
130 AM MST Thu Mar 19 2026

.SYNOPSIS...

Significantly hot temperatures expected today through the
weekend. High temperatures will be 20 to 25 degrees above normal
during this period, especially Friday and Saturday. Visitors,
seasonal residents, and other people not typically accustomed to
or acclimated to extreme heat are especially urged to take
precautions during the hottest hours of the day during this period
and limit outdoor activity.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Strong ridging in the southwestern US is leading to an anomalous
high pressure system. The center of the high is now located over
the southern California/ southwestern Arizona border. The high
pressure center will continue to move eastward centering over
southern Arizona in the next 24 to 36 hours. Well above normal
temperatures, 20-25 degrees warmer, across southeastern Arizona
is expected. Several daytime and monthly records are likely to be
broken this weekend. The previous record of 99 degrees set March
26, 1988 is on tap to be broken, as well as the earliest 100
degree day in Tucson (current record April 11, 2025). Due to the
truly abnormal heat for this time of year, an Extreme Heat Warning
is in effect starting Today, March 19th at 11 AM MST through the
evening of Sunday, March 22nd. High temperatures will peak Friday
and Saturday with values Tucson westward 100 to 108 degrees and
east of Tucson 95 to 100 degrees. Heat will be at dangerous levels
for those unaccustomed or not yet acclimated to the heat at this
point in the year.

There is very little reprieve in the forecast. A weak shortwave
trough will push into southern Arizona Monday lowering
temperatures a few degrees. By Tuesday, high pressure will build
again raising temperatures back into the 90s to low 100s.
Afternoon breezy westerly winds will arrive Sunday through early
next week.

&&

.AVIATION...Valid through 20/12Z.

Mainly SKC through the forecast period with a few high clouds
greater than 25k ft AGL. SFC winds NWLY at 6-9 kts after 19/20Z
through 20/06Z. Otherwise, SFC winds will be terrain driven and
remain under 8 kts. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF
amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

A strengthening ridge of high pressure will be centered over
southern Arizona resulting in progressively hotter and drier
conditions heading into the weekend. Significant heat is forecast
today through Sunday with high temperatures pushing 20 to 25
degree above normal. Winds through the remainder of the work week
will remain below 10 mph with a few afternoon gusts around 20
mph. Breezier conditions return on both Sunday and Monday as the
high pressure begins to weaken and flatten out. Minimum RHs 5 to
15 percent.

&&

.CLIMATE...

RECORD OR NEAR RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES NEXT 3 DAYS

DATE                         Mar 19           Mar 20           Mar 21
                          FCST RCD/YR      FCST RCD/YR      FCST RCD/YR
TUCSON INTL AIRPORT       100  95/1907     102  94/2017102  92/2017
AJO                       103  97/2007     106  98/2017105  97/1997
KITT PEAK                  85  72/2017      87  76/2017 86  76/2004
ORGAN PIPE CACTUS         105  95/2017     108  99/2004106  99/2004
PICACHO PEAK               99  96/2017     101  95/2004     100  94/2004
SAFFORD AG STATION         96  91/2017     100  92/2017     100  92/2017
SIERRA VISTA FD            92  87/2017      95  86/2017      95  88/2017
TOMBSTONE                  92  89/2017      95  86/2017      95  88/2017
WILLCOX                    93  86/2017      97  90/2017      97  87/2017

EARLIEST DATES BY THRESHOLD AND RECORDED MARCH MONTHLY RECORD

STATION                    Earliest 95      Earliest 100     March Record

TUCSON                     March  5 (1910)  April 11 (2025)   99 (1988)
SAFFORD                    April  8 (1989)  April 28 (2000)   93 (2025)
NOGALES                    March 31 (1969)   May  6  (2020)   93 (2025)
DOUGLAS                    April  7 (1989)   May 12  (1996)   92 (1989)
SIERRA VISTA               April 19 (1989)   May 22  (1989)   91 (1989)
WILLCOX                    April 12 (2025)   May  8  (1989)   92 (1907)

&&

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Extreme Heat Warning from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MST Sunday
for AZZ501>509.

&&

$$

Malarkey

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