Here come the rains again

January is going out like a lamb, and February is coming in like a lion here in Maricopa. 

Heavy rain showers are predicted to return tonight, bringing wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour in the city. 

Then there are predictions of a second, more powerful wave of rainstorms next week that could bring heavier rainfall accumulations. 

“It looks like we’re going to have a wet week next week too,” said Phoenix-based meteorologist Alex Young, adding it will be part of a stronger frontal system. “We’re unsure when it’s going to rain and how many rounds we’re going to have. But it’s a good bet we are going to have north of over an inch of rain next week.” 

The National Weather Service calls for a 100% chance of rain coming to Maricopa, which could bring up to a three-quarters of an inch. 

Showers with thunderstorms are also possible after midnight Friday. 

The chance of rain Friday will then decrease to 40%, with southwest winds up to 25 miles per hour, forecasters said. 

Weekend weather is expected to improve in Maricopa with mostly sunny skies and cooler conditions Saturday and Sunday.  

With rain and wind, high temperatures should cool down from low 80s to the mid-to-low 60s through the weekend and early next week before the new rain system rolls in.