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Tropical Storm Ileana is cooling down the Valley. Here's how much

Ileana may not deposit much rain in the Valley, but it's going to knock the edge off of the late summer heat.
Image: monsoon season clouds pass near Apache Junction, Arizona
Tropical Storm Ileana will bring lots of cloud cover and cooler temperatures next week. Mario Tama/Getty

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Tropical Storm Ileana weakened into a tropical depression as it hit mainland Mexico on Sunday. But it's still going to bring cooler temperatures and possibly some rain to the Valley.

Monday, much of Maricopa County has between a 20-30% chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service. The rainfall could be light — less than 0.1 inches — but points farther east could get heavier rainfall.

click to enlarge a map showing projected rainfall in Arizona
The Valley still has a chance to reap some rainfall from Tropical Storm Ileana, but it might not be much.
National Weather Service

But what's more certain is that Phoenix will get a (relative) break from the summer heat. According to National Weather Service Phoenix Meteorologist Mark O’Malley, Ileana coming from the south combined with another storm system from the north will cause temperatures to fall over the next several days.

Phoenix is “expecting a lot of cloud cover” and moisture in that stretch, O’Malley said, and the NWS projects highs of 93-95 degrees from Tuesday through Friday. That would be a lower temperature than is normal for this time of year in the Valley. Typically, mid-September still means temperatures above 100 degrees. Even more appealing are the projected lows in the 60s.

click to enlarge a temperature forecast showing temps in the low 90s to low 80s
Enjoy the break from the heat while it's here — temperatures will go back up to ridiculous by the weekend.
National Weather Service

Despite cooling temperatures, triple-digit days will likely return before long — the NWS projects for a return of "above normal" temperatures by Sunday.

“Phoenix typically does not see its last 100-degree day until the beginning of October,” O’Malley said. In late August, NWS Meteorologist Alex Young estimated Phoenix’s last 100-degree day to be Oct. 5 this year.