Phoenix, Arizona experiences record temperatures

Anyone traveling to the southwestern United States at this time of year knows they’ll have to deal with desert heat. But in Phoenix, Arizona, temperatures have reached record levels.

The summer season seems to have no end. On Tuesday, temperatures reached triple digits for the 100th consecutive day, surpassing the previous record of 76, set in 1993.

“It’s definitely a striking number,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Sean Benedict.

This record-breaking streak began on May 27, when a high of 102 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded. Temperatures reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday afternoon, when the Arizona Diamondbacks hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers on Labor Day.

The forecast doesn’t seem to be showing any relief either. Above-normal temperatures for this time of year are expected throughout the week, meaning this streak of 100-plus degrees of heat will stick around for the time being.

Normally, rain breaks with this kind of heat, but the area hasn’t experienced much, even with the monsoon that came in July. Unusually warm temperatures in May are what kicked off this streak.

Excessive heat warnings are already in effect for the rest of the week in Phoenix and Lake Havasu City in Arizona and several cities in Nevada, including Las Vegas, Laughlin and Pahrump.

103 degrees is certainly very warm, but it doesn’t even compare to temperatures recorded in the desert. Death Valley’s Furnace Creek will live up to its name, with high temperatures expected to reach at least 118 degrees.

There have been 150 heat-related deaths in Maricopa County, Arizona, so far this season, and at least 443 more are under investigation. Last year, there were 645 reported incidents involving heat-related deaths.

Another uncomfortable record Phoenix has set in 2024 is the number of nights temperatures didn’t drop below 90 degrees. That’s 37 and counting.

“Not being able to cool down at night can affect people’s health because heat can build up in the body,” Arizona State University climatologist Erinanne Saffell wrote in an email response. “People should make sure to stay cool and hydrated.”

There have also been 54 days where temperatures have been recorded over 110 degrees. That’s just one day shy of the record set last year, which will likely be surpassed on Friday.