Local researchers are turning our backyard into a laboratory in hopes of figuring out how extreme heat, rapid urban growth and desert dust influence the severity of monsoons.

⛈️ Why it matters: Summer storms are becoming more dangerous, and the new study aims to help forecasters better predict Phoenix weather.

State of play: The project, directed by ASU and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, will be the most comprehensive extreme weather study in Phoenix history, according to the university.

🏜️ What they're saying: "Urban desert environments like Phoenix are incredibly complex. You have extreme heat, rapid development and monsoon systems interacting in ways we don't yet fully understand," Vernon Morris, an associate dean at ASU's New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, told ASU News.

What we're watching: There are three main goals for the 18-month project:

• Determine how Phoenix itself — our buildings, roads, sprawl and surrounding desert — affects how storms develop.
• Investigate the role of dust, pollution and wildfire smoke on cloud formation and rainfall.
• Understand what other factors, such as land surface and mountains, affect when and where storms hit.

🎈 How it works: From July to September, researchers will launch weather balloons multiple times per day from ASU's West Valley campus.

• The balloons, which collect temperature, humidity, wind speed and atmospheric particle data, expand to roughly the size of a bus before bursting near the edge of the atmosphere and returning back to Earth via parachute.
• The data the balloons gather will be combined with storm monitoring from the ground.

👽 The intrigue: Giant balloons floating above the West Valley may cause some concern, or at least curiosity. Researchers say they're conducting outreach to make sure the public is in the loop about their study.

• "It's not alien. It's not surveillance. It's purely a scientific endeavor," Morris told ASU News.

What's next: Researchers will do a second data collection with weather balloons from November to March to investigate winter storms.

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Independence Day is right around the corner, and if you're looking for a fireworks show to celebrate America's 250th birthday, we've got you covered.

Fabulous Phoenix 4th: Live music and other entertainment, a car show, a kids zone with inflatables, games and water slides, and local vendors selling food and artisan goods.

• Steele Indian School Park, Saturday, starts at 6pm, fireworks begin at 9:40pm.

Arizona Celebration of Freedom: Head to downtown Mesa for live entertainment, games, a superhero stunt show, championship wrestling, a laser light show and more.

• 263 N. Center St., starting at 6pm, drone show at 9:25pm and fireworks at 9:35pm.

Fourth at the Fountain: Celebrate at Fountain Hills' namesake fountain with a show by Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers.

• Fountain Park, 6:30pm, show at 7:30pm, fireworks at 9pm.

All-American Festival: The city of Peoria hosts live music, family-friendly, interactive activities, patriotic photo opportunities and a roller derby demonstration.

• Peoria Sports Complex, 5–9pm

If you're looking to get out of town and beat the heat, check out these events:

Prescott Freedom Festival: Live music, games, inflatables and other family-friendly activities, plus food vendors and a beer garden.

• Pioneer Park, 3pm, fireworks at 9pm.

Celebrating America's Freedom Drone Show: High wildfire risk means no fireworks in Flagstaff, but you can take in their July 4 drone show, plus food, family activities and live music.

• Foxglenn Park, Saturday, 4pm, drone show at 9pm.
• And if you're there earlier in the day, catch the Independence Day parade in Historic Downtown Flagstaff, 9–11am.

There are plenty of other Independence Day events across the Valley and state, so check these lists to find one near you.

Celebrate America

👀 Chandler City Council Member O.D. Harris sued Chandler and Scottsdale for $5 million each, along with officials from both cities, alleging they conspired to undermine his 2024 re-election through criminal charges related to wrecked campaign signs. He beat the charges at trial. (AZcentral)

🏀 The Phoenix Suns traded Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neal and 2033 first-round draft pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-rounder and a 2027 second-rounder. (Arizona Sports)

🔥 The Pocket Fire north of Sedona more than doubled overnight to 6,000 acres and was still 0% contained as of Sunday evening. (KTAR)

⚖️ AG Kris Mayes announced 42 new indictments in the ongoing sober living home Medicaid fraud scandal, bringing the total to 280 people. (KJZZ)

Welcome to another edition of "Where in the Valley?"

How it works: We show you something cool. You tell us where it is.

• The first reader who names the spot gets a shoutout in the newsletter.

You tell us: Where in the Valley can you find these canopies?

Catch up quick: Congratulations to Chanele Reyes, the first reader to give us the correct location for our last "Where in the Valley?" photo.

• The stone structure is Scorpion Gulch at South Mountain on Central Avenue.