Phoenix could tie record for number of days with 90-degree lows

PHOENIX — Monsoon season is in full swing in Arizona, but the rain storms have not cooled down the Phoenix area much.

The National Weather Service said Thursday could mark the 11th day this year with a low of 90 degrees or higher, if that temperature holds through midnight.

If so, the city could soon tie or even break a record: The maximum number of days with 90-plus degree lows was 15, which was recorded in 2003 and 2013.

On average, Phoenix records four days each year with 90-plus degree lows.

“Nearing another record we’re not happy about,” the weather service said in a tweet.

Earlier, we tweeted about this morning being the 11th day this year w/ a Phoenix low 90 degrees or warmer (assuming that holds thru midnight). Here's a graph of the warming annual trend. #azwx pic.twitter.com/HVMP9aN6vJ

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 2, 2018

The weather service expected the 90-degree low to hold through midnight on Thursday, but a chance of rainstorms in the Phoenix area could change that.

There was a projected 20 percent chance of rain in Phoenix on Thursday morning, but the National Weather Service said those chances increased by the afternoon.

Even if it does rain, however, that will not be enough to relieve some of the heat: Phoenix is expected to reach a high temperature of 110 degrees on Thursday, with temperatures remaining above normal into early next week.

Temperatures across the lower deserts – and in the Phoenix area – will likely remain a few degrees or so above normal into early next week. 110 possible in Phoenix today. Not much relief from the monsoon heat unfortunately. #azwx pic.twitter.com/J01UTajFq0

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 2, 2018

However, Phoenix could use that precipitation: The city has been on the lighter side when in comes to monsoon rainfall since June 15, with Phoenix Sky Harbor receiving about three-quarters of an inch of rain since the monsoon season kicked off.

It’s a different story up north: Megan Taylor with the National Weather Service said the Flagstaff airport has measured just over four inches of rain so far this monsoon seasons, with other parts of the high country seeing more than eight inches.

“We have definitely seen signs of very beneficial rainfall,” Taylor said. “And no signs of stopping at this point.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report. 

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