Early-Week Record Warmth Will Keep Several Southwestern Cities on Track to Experience Warmest November on Record

Linda Lam 
Published: November 26, 2017

The persistent warmth that has dominated the southwestern U.S. recently will lead to additional daily record-warm temperatures early this week and will keep several cities on track for setting a record for warmest November.

Much of the West has experienced above-average temperatures recently, with numerous daily record highs set during the week of Thanksgiving.

(MORE: Record Highs Set in the West Before Thanksgiving)

These above-average temperatures are courtesy of a strong upper-level ridge of high pressure, or northward bulge of the jet stream, that has been in place over the West for much of November.

An upper-level ridge of high pressure will allow temperatures to be well above average in parts of the West and Plains early this week.

This setup will keep warm and dry conditions in place for portions of the region early this week.

Daily record highs have been set across the region over the past week, and this record-setting streak will likely continue over the next couple days.

Sunday, numerous record highs for the date were set across the Southwest and the Rockies:

• Tucson, Arizona: 92 degrees (old record was 86 degrees in 1998) – also the latest 90-degree day on record
• Phoenix, Arizona: 89 degrees (old record was 88 degrees in 1950)
• Denver: 74 degrees (old record was 72 degrees in 1998)
• Flagstaff, Arizona: 73 degrees (old record was 70 degrees in 1949)
• Cheyenne, Wyoming: 69 degrees (old record was 67 degrees in 1998)

Saturday, several daily record highs occurred in portions of the Southwest and California:

• Tuscon, Arizona: 88 degrees (old record was 86 degrees in 1894)
• San Jose, California: 80 degrees (old record was 76 degrees in 1959)
• Las Vegas, Nevada: 76 degrees (ties record of 76 degrees in 1970)
• Eureka, California: 74 degrees (old record was 70 degrees in 1977)
• Flagstaff, Arizona: 73 degrees (old record was 70 degrees in 1949)

The upper-level ridge of high pressure will begin to slide eastward Monday ahead of a low-pressure system. Southwesterly flow ahead of this system will result in high temperatures 15 to 30 degrees above average from the Southwest into the central Rockies and into much of the Plains. Downslope flow will also help temperatures to rise in some areas, including the High Plains of Colorado.

https://www.wunderground.com/news/2017-11-25-record-warm-november-temperatures-southwest-plains