Forecasters say Phoenix area should see a warmer weekend

Slightly warmer weather is expected to embrace the Phoenix metro area this weekend, while northern Arizona still has a chance for more snow.

Today and through the weekend, a weather warm-up will bring sunshine and highs in the mid- to upper 60s, with temperatures cooling down to the 40s at night, according to the National Weather Service in Phoenix.

“Dry air will remain over the region through the first part of next week before rain chances return during the latter half of the week,” according to the forecast for the Phoenix area.

A cold Pacific weather system dumped more than 10 inches of snow on the Flagstaff area Wednesday as it passed eastward over the state. Transportation officials closed a portion of Interstate 40, from Holbrook to the New Mexico state line, on Thursday morning due to hazardous driving conditions. The westbound lanes of I-40 later reopened, but the eastbound lanes were still closed with no estimated time of reopening.

Starting today and through Sunday, the Flagstaff area is expected to see breezy conditions with temperatures in the lower 40s during the day and the upper teens to lower 20s at nighttime, the Weather Service said. Flagstaff has a 20 percent chance of snowy showers Sunday night and Monday morning.

The Tucson area should warm slightly this weekend, with daytime temperatures in the mid- to upper 60s, dropping into the lower 40s by night, the Weather Service in Tucson said.