Cooler weekend ahead for Yuma and the Desert Southwest, breezy winds expected

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Changes are on the way for our weather heading into the weekend, as a dry cold front sweeps through the Desert Southwest.

The National Weather Service says gusty winds will be the first impact. Imperial County could see wind gusts as high as 40-50 miles per hour Friday evening, leading to areas of blowing dust and reduced visibility.

A Wind Advisory is in effect for parts of western Imperial County, including the Imperial Valley, through early Saturday.

Temperatures will also take a noticeable dip. After topping out near 100 degrees on Friday, highs on Saturday are forecast to cool into the mid to upper 80s, about five to seven degrees below normal for early October.

Morning lows will settle into the 60s across much of the region, bringing a refreshing start to the day.

Skies will remain mostly clear through Sunday, with dry air keeping conditions comfortable and calm after the front moves through.

Looking ahead, a gradual warming trend is expected to start early next week, with highs climbing back into the mid-90s by midweek.

But forecasters are already keeping an eye on the potential for another rain event late next week into the weekend. Moisture from the Pacific could move north into Arizona and Southern California, and while confidence is still low, the possibility of heavy rain and localized flooding can’t be ruled out.

For now, plan on a breezy and cooler weekend before temperatures rebound next week and keep an eye on the forecast updates as the potential for late-week rain develops.