Phoenix breaks 40-year-old daily heat record as temperatures remain above normal

PHOENIX — Phoenix broke a 40-year-old daily heat record on Saturday as a heat wave continues to bring above-normal temperatures to the Valley.

The temperature at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which the National Weather Service uses for the city’s official readings, peaked at 96 degrees.

The previous record temperature for Phoenix was 95 degrees, which was set in 1986. Phoenix reached that temperature again in 2015.

It was the 10th record-breaking day out of the last 11 during a heat wave that began on March 18. Temperatures have hit triple digits nine times this month and reached as high as 105 degrees from March 19 to 21. Temperatures first reached triple digits on March 18, the earliest time in the year to reach over 100 degrees in Phoenix’s history.

The normal high for Phoenix on March 28 is 82 degrees.

How long will above-normal temperatures last in Phoenix?

Temperatures in the Valley are expected to remain in the upper 90s, with Sunday’s forecast calling for a high of 98 and a low of 70.

Monday’s forecast calls for a high of 97 and a low of 73 before highs are expected to drop to the low 90s and upper 80s throughout the week.

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