Weekend Warm-up for the Southwest

WEST - Denver just received 5.8" of snowfall from May 5-6 and is now in store for well-above-average temperatures heading into early next week. In fact, the forecast high a week later is in the upper 80s for the Mile High City!

So, what’s causing this rapid warming trend? An upper-level ridge. As the ridge moves onshore, temperatures will begin to climb heading into the weekend. Dozens of records are expected to fall starting on Mother’s Day and continuing into next week. Each city represented by a pink dot is a location where record highs could be broken or tied.

Temperatures on Sunday for cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix are expected to soar into the triple digits, which is around 15 degrees above average for this time of year. Excessive Heat Warnings and Advisories have been issued into early next week.

Mother's Day could be a very hot one across the Desert Southwest. Record highs are likely in cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix.

The heat continues into the long-range forecast as well, with the Climate Prediction Center showing high confidence that the Southwest will remain above average through the middle of May. Notice how by mid-May the dome of heat will shift East into the Plains.

For more details on just how hot your Southwestern city could get, be sure to join us at 50 past the hour for more in your Western Regional Forecast.