Arizona Faces Air Quality Alert, Above-Normal Heat This Week

Arizona is experiencing a hot and dry weather pattern with temperatures reaching around 100 degrees, just shy of record highs, due to a strengthening ridge of high pressure. This has prompted the Arizona Department of Air Quality to issue air quality alerts for Thursday and Friday as the stagnant air worsens conditions. Despite the heat, the pool season is underway, with official pool temperatures around 79 degrees. Residents are advised to take precautions against heat-related illnesses, particularly the young and elderly, by staying hydrated and limiting outdoor activities during peak heat. Meanwhile, other regions are seeing a mix of sun and clouds with mild temperatures in the 70s and some scattered showers expected later in the weekend and early next week. The contrast between the dry, hot conditions in Arizona and more variable, cooler weather elsewhere highlights the diverse weather patterns across the country.