Sunny weekend could be followed by extreme weather in Maricopa

The weekend is expected to see temperatures reach the 70s before another storm system rolls in to potentially bring heavy wind and rain to the region.

According to the National Weather Service, an early-week storm could bring extreme weather to Maricopa. The area is projected to see heavy rain, and winds as high as 50 mph could move into the area. The storm is expected to hit western Arizona the hardest.

“A storm was slowly developing over the north Pacific this morning and is forecast to intensify as it deepens toward the region this weekend,” The NWS released in a statement. “The Pacific storm is expected to bodily move into the area late Sunday afternoon and Sunday night, causing widespread rain. As the cold front approaches, very windy weather with gusts between 40 and 50 mph are forecast to develop Sunday afternoon and evening.”

Friday has sunny skies with a high near 72 degrees. The wind should gust near 5 mph, and the overnight low is projected to drop to 42 degrees.

Saturday is expected to be the warmest day of the year so far at 75 degrees. The skies should be mostly clear, and the wind should stay near 5 mph, but gusts could reach up to 10 mph. Clouds may move in overnight, but no moisture is expected, and the overnight low should drop to 49 degrees.

Sunday morning is forecast to be partly cloudy with a high near 71 degrees. The wind is expected to stay near 5 mph, but gusts could reach up to 15 mph. The storm system is expected to move in throughout the afternoon, and there is s 10 percent chance of afternoon rain.

By Sunday evening, the storm is expected to reach Maricopa. The forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of heavy rain Sunday night, and wind gusts could reach up to 35 mph.

The storm is expected to continue into Monday. Heavy rain and strong winds up to 50 mph are possible. Morning commuters should watch out for hazardous driving conditions.

According to the NWS, “Clearing skies and much colder weather will return Tuesday through Thursday with near freezing temperatures at night in the lower deserts.”