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PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Get ready for a hot week ahead with temperatures ranging 20-30 degrees above average statewide.

Our First Alert Weather Days are Tuesday to Sunday to give you a heads up on this heat.

Tuesday is Saint Patrick’s Day, and with temperatures in the upper 90s, if you do have any outdoor plans, you’ll want to make sure you’re staying hydrated and taking breaks from the sun.

By Wednesday, we will likely see our first triple-digit day of the year in Phoenix, with a high of 102 degrees.

The National Weather Service has bumped the extreme heat watch to an extreme heat warning for the Valley, and southern and western Arizona, from Thursday to Sunday.

This is the earliest heat warning to go into effect, with the current earliest instance occurring between April 26 and April 30 of 2020.

This means popular hiking trails across Phoenix, like Piestewa, Camelback and parts of South Mountain, will close from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Temperatures will be around 102-106 Wednesday through the weekend. This means right now we are looking at a stretch of at least six days in a row where we will beat a high temperature record:

Keep in mind, we should be in the upper 70s this time of the year in Phoenix.

But even spots like Flagstaff will see temperatures close to 30 degrees above average this week, with highs there in the 80s, when they should be in the 50s.

This heat is coming from a ridge of high-pressure parking itself over the region, creating this abnormal heat wave in the month of March.

We’ve only hit 100 degrees once in the month of March, and that was on March 26, 1988, so we will achieve the title this week of having the earliest triple-digit day in Phoenix, and we will likely also see the earliest 105-degree day for Phoenix this week, too.

On average, we don’t get to 100 degrees until May 2, and not until May 22 for 105 degrees.

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SpaceX is planning a rocket launch today, but will you be able to see it from Arizona?

SpaceX, the commercial spaceflight company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is potentially hours away from launching its Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California. Ahead of the two-stage, 230-foot rocket would then be a short mission to deploy SpaceX's Starlink broadband internet satellites in orbit.

Arizona may be California's neighbor, but a southern trajectory planned for the rocket may limit visibility further east from the launch site. Still, if you're really interested in watching the Falcon 9 get off the ground, you always can tune into a SpaceX livestream.

Keep in mind that postponements due to weather or issues with rockets are common with spaceflight. If you're going to try to spot the rocket launch, check back with azcentral.com for any updates on the mission.

In the meantime, here's what to know about the launch from neighboring California, as well as when and where to potentially see the rocket in Arizona.

Is there a rocket launch today? Next mission from Vandenberg in California

SpaceX is working toward a Monday, March 16, launch from Southern California, with a four-hour launch window opening at 7:37 p.m. PT, according to a launch alert.

A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests a backup opportunity is available the next day if the launch were to be postponed.

Will SpaceX rocket launch be visible in Arizona? What to know about trajectory

The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 4-East (SLC-4E) at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

Because the rocket is due to fly at a southern trajectory, it may not be visible from Arizona.

How to watch SpaceX launch livestream

Fortunately for those in Arizona interested in watching the launch, SpaceX also provides a live webcast of its missions.

The launch will be available to stream on the company's website and its new X TV mobile app, beginning about five minutes before liftoff. SpaceX may also provide updates on social media site X.

What is the Vandenberg rocket launch? Falcon 9 to deploy Starlink satellites

SpaceX will launch its famous two-stage 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket, one of the world's most active, to deliver 25 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, an altitude nearer Earth's atmosphere where they're able to circle the planet quickly.

Where to watch SpaceX Falcon 9 in Arizona

Because of Arizona's proximity to the launch site, there's a good chance people there can see the spacecraft streak across the sky, especially at night or very early morning.

Here's a list of some possible viewing locations compiled by The Arizona Republic, a USA TODAY Network publication.

Does Elon Musk own SpaceX? What to know about rocket company

SpaceX is the commercial spaceflight company that billionaire Elon Musk, the world's richest man, founded in 2002 and leads as the CEO.

SpaceX is headquartered at Starbase in South Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border. The site, which is where SpaceX has been conducting routine flight tests of its 400-foot megarocket known as Starship, was recently voted by residents to become its own city.

As a major government contractor, SpaceX serves as the launch service provider for a variety of government missions both civil and military.

For the Department of Defense, SpaceX's Falcon 9 helps launch classified satellites and other payloads into space. And for NASA, Falcon 9 most often helps propel astronauts to the International Space Station on SpaceX's Dragon crew capsule – the only U.S vehicle capable of carrying NASA astronauts to orbit.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is SpaceX's internet satellite business.

With nearly 10,000 satellites in its growing orbital constellation, Starlink has become a lucrative part of Musk's business empire, serving millions of customers around the world.

SpaceX, which bills itself as the only satellite internet provider with its own reusable rocket capable of deploying the technology, has spent years delivering the satellites to orbit with a regular cadence of rocket launches from Florida and California.

Starlink satellites operate from low-Earth orbit, about 341 miles up, which is much closer to Earth's atmosphere than other satellites. That not only allows Starlink satellites to offer high connection speeds than satellites further out in space, but to reach rural areas and regions where internet service is not readily accessible.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com

Monday was a sunny and warm day for much of Arizona.

The Phoenix area saw a high temperature of 93 degrees. There were some breezy winds in northern and western Arizona, especially along the Colorado River near Bullhead City. A Lake Wind Advisory will remain in effect for the Colorado River Valley from Lake Mead to Lake Havasu until 8 PM tonight for wind gusts over 45 mph, and the winds will lighten afterward.

Tonight:

Tonight will be a clear night, with a low around 65 degrees in the Valley.

Tomorrow:

Tuesday will be sunny with a high around 97 degrees in Phoenix. The high country will start to warm up as well, with 70s and 80s along the Mogollon Rim and Colorado Plateau. Flagstaff and Prescott will reach record-tying warm temperatures.

Looking Ahead:

The rest of the state will start breaking record warm highs and lows from Wednesday through Sunday. The peak of the heat wave will be Thursday through Saturday. The Valley will hit high temperatures around 104 to 106 during that time.

This week, the Valley could see its earliest 100-degree day on record, and with a lot of people in town for spring break, now is an important time to remind everyone to take precautions when out on hiking trails. FOX 10's Irene Snyder reports.

The following heat safety information was provided by the Scottsdale Fire Department.

Heat Cramps: Profuse sweating, fatigue, extreme thirst, muscle cramps

Heat Exhaustion: Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea/vomit, Cool/moist skin

Heat Stroke: Elevated temp. +103degrees, confusion/irrational behavior, dry/hot skin, rapid shallow breathing, rapid weak pulse (shock), seizures, unconscious

Preventing heat exhaustion/heat stroke

The Arizona Department of Health Services stated the following precautions can be taken to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke:

Road Conditions

The Source: Information for this story was gathered from the FOX 10 Weather Experts.

Phoenix remains Arizona’s leading economic engine, according to current Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler MSA (metropolitan statistical area) economic indicators.

FOOD NEWS: 25 places for great patio dining in Arizona

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In December, the non-seasonally adjusted civilian labor force in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler MSA (Phoenix MSA) grew 2.6% over the year to 2.8 million, continuing an upward trend. September and November recorded similar year-over-year gains of 2.7% and 2.9%, respectively.

The Phoenix MSA’s labor market showed solid strength in December, as non-seasonally adjusted resident employment climbed 2.1% year-over-year to 2.7 million. September and November both posted similar gains of 1.9% and 2.4%, respectively. Statewide, Arizona employment grew 1.9% over the year to 3.7 million, with the Phoenix MSA accounting for approximately 73.0% of the state’s total employment.

The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the Phoenix MSA has fallen in recent months but remains above the low rates of 2024. In November and December, unemployment rates increased year over year by 0.5 and 0.4 percentage points to 3.8% and 3.5% respectively. However, these unemployment rates are significantly below the highs of 4.1% in July and September and 4.2% in August. At the state level, the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 0.4 percentage points over the year to 4.0% in December.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs in the Phoenix MSA rose 0.1% in December, adding approximately 6,400 jobs to reach 2.7 million. Recent months have shown straight gains, with employment rising by 3,000 in September, 7,300 in October, and 800 in November. Statewide, Arizona added 6,400 jobs to reach 3.3 million, with the Phoenix MSA accounting for 75.7% of the state’s total seasonally-adjusted jobs.

Non-seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment in the Phoenix MSA rose by 0.9% year-over-year in December, reaching 2.5 million jobs. This rise follows year-over-year gains of 1.3% in October and 0.8% in November. Among major industries, Mining and Logging posted the largest year-over-year percentage increase, rising 8.1% to 4,000. Other notable growth also occurred in Professional and Business Services (2.9%), Other Services (2.3%), Construction (2.0%), and Financial Activities (1.0%), On the other hand, the Government sector experienced the steepest decline, falling 3.0% to 253,200. Losses were also noted in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1.0%), Manufacturing (-0.9%), and Information (-0.5%).

Non-seasonally adjusted average hourly earnings in the Phoenix MSA continued to rise through 2025, increasing by 4.5% over the year in December to $36.99. Growth remained consistent with prior months, as wages were up 6.1% in October and 6.8% in November. At December’s rate, average full-time annual earnings equate to roughly $76,939.

Retail sales excluding food and gasoline rose 4.3% over the year in December, reaching $8.4 million. All taxable sales saw increases over the year in December, with Restaurant and Bars sales rising 5.2% to $1.5 million, Gasoline increasing 5.9% to $534,400, Hotel/ Motel growing 5.7% to 280,500, and Amusements jumping 5.8% to 163,700.

In October 2025, Phoenix MSA housing permits declined 12.3% over the year, posting their third consecutive significant decline. Single-family permits drove the over-the-year decrease in October. Overall, Phoenix housing permits are on track to post a significant decline in 2025.

Phoenix MSA house sales and house prices are temporarily unavailable.

Author: Delaney O’Kray-Murphy is a research economist with the Economic and Business Research Center.

Phoenix, Arizona — A surge of unusually strong high pressure is expected to bring historic early-season heat to parts of the Desert Southwest beginning late this week and intensifying into next week.

Meteorologists say temperatures across southern Arizona and southeast California could climb 15 to 25 degrees above normal, pushing many desert communities into the 90s by the end of the week.

By early to mid-next week, the region could see its first triple-digit temperatures of the year, an event that would arrive much earlier than typical.

In Phoenix, forecasters say temperatures may approach or exceed 100 degrees, potentially breaking records for the earliest occurrence of triple-digit heat in the city. Normally, the first 100-degree day occurs later in spring.

Other desert communities including Yuma, Casa Grande, and parts of the lower Colorado River Valley could also experience extreme heat during this stretch.

The early arrival of such intense heat could have greater impacts than usual, since residents and visitors may not yet be acclimated to summer-like temperatures.

Travelers along major corridors including Interstate 10, Interstate 8, and Loop 101 should prepare for hot conditions, especially during the afternoon hours when pavement and vehicle interiors can heat rapidly.

Health officials recommend taking precautions as temperatures climb. Residents should drink plenty of water, limit outdoor activity during peak heat, and check on vulnerable neighbors, including the elderly and pets.

Even short periods outdoors can become dangerous when temperatures climb rapidly early in the season.

While the heat is expected to build late this week, the most extreme temperatures are likely during the middle of next week, when record-breaking conditions become possible across the lower deserts.

Forecasters say the stretch of heat could last several days, making it one of the earliest significant heat events of the year in the Southwest.