New Year's Eve in Arizona: Rainy Start to 2026

Arizona is gearing up for a wet welcome to the new year. The weather forecast predicts rain for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, so if you're planning to celebrate outdoors, you might want to pack an umbrella and a jacket. The weather system moving into Arizona will bring moisture, increasing the chances of showers starting late on December 31st. By New Year's Day, the likelihood of rain will rise significantly. The winds will pick up on December 30th, especially along the Colorado River. Phoenix is expected to stay warmer than usual, with temperatures climbing above 70 degrees. The average for late December is around 65 degrees. Clouds will roll in on December 31st, and by evening, there's about a 50% chance of rain.On January 1st, rain is more likely throughout the day, with estimates of a quarter to half an inch of rainfall. The showers should start to ease off by late Thursday, and by Friday, January 2nd, the skies will be partly sunny. Temperatures will stay above normal, with highs in the mid to upper 60s on Thursday and lower 70s on Friday. Up in the high country, Flagstaff will also see rain chances starting late on December 31st and increasing through New Year's Day. Since it's a warm system, temperatures will stay in the upper 40s to mid-50s, so no snow is expected for Flagstaff through the weekend. Snow levels are expected to stay high, around 8, 000 to 10, 000 feet above sea level. Flagstaff sits at 7, 000 feet, so it will miss out on any snowfall.