Excessive heat warning issued as Phoenix expected to hit 120 degrees
Jun 13, 2016, 12:03 PM | Updated: Jun 14, 2016, 11:32 am
(AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Erik M. Lunsford.)
(AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Erik M. Lunsford.)
PHOENIX — You read that headline correctly: It could be as hot as 120 degrees in Phoenix this weekend, which would be one of the hottest days ever recorded in the city.
The city’s all time record — a sweltering 122 degrees — happened on June 26, 1990.
Phoenix’s last recorded high of at least 120 degrees was back in July 1995.
With such extreme temperatures on the horizon, the National Weather Service was prompted to issue an excessive heat warning that begins Friday and runs through Monday evening.
Sunday will be the hottest day this weekend. The weather service said it could be as hot as 120 degrees.
Monday’s high will be in excess of 115.
Saturday is expected to be slightly cooler, with a high topping out about 115 degrees.
The weather service said people should drink more water and avoid beverages that contain alcohol, sugar or caffeine while the excessive heat warning is in place.
People should also try to remain indoors. If you must be outside, take frequent breaks and find shade when you can.
With the high temperatures kicking in, the likelihood of heat-related illness increases. The initial symptoms begin as a headache or thirst, but can increase to skin that is cool to the touch, nausea and fainting.
Heat stroke can be fatal.
The extreme heat is being caused by an area of high pressure that is moving over the state.
All of the forecast highs, should they happen, would break the daily record.
Earlier this month, the Phoenix area dealt with another stretch of extreme heat that saw four consecutive daily heat records fall in a row.
The weather service also issued an excessive heat warning for that weekend.
