Phoenix temperature reaches 90 degrees for first time in 2019

PHOENIX — It happened.

Phoenix recorded a temperature of 90 degrees on Monday for the first time in 2019.

The National Weather Service said the mark was recorded at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport at 12:43 p.m.

The milestone was reached later than usual this year.

According to the National Weather Service, the average first 90-degree day for Phoenix is on March 31.

90° in Phoenix!! The 90° mark was finally reached at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport this afternoon at 12:43 pm. This is later than the average first 90°, which occurs March 31st. #azwx

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) April 8, 2019

“Normally we’ve already hit it a few weeks ago. We’ve been fortunate enough to dodge that bullet, but we can’t hide it any longer,” Andrew Deemer with National Weather Service in Phoenix told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

The earliest that 90 degrees was recorded in the city was Feb. 17, 2016; the latest was May 12, 1912.

“Hitting 90 degrees toward the end of March is pretty typical,” Deemer said.

“It’s something we seem to see every year.”

Oct. 29, 2018, was the last time the mercury hit 90 in Phoenix, 161 days ago.

Monday’s high was 97 degrees, and it was expected reach the 90s again Tuesday. But the heat won’t last.

“The good news is it’s going to be much cooler the rest of the week,” Deemer said.

“By Wednesday, we’re going to be looking at a high of maybe 80, might even get some days in the 70s again. So if we can get through these two days, we’ll be sitting pretty.”

Here’s your 7-day forecast via @IrisABC15, Arizona’s most accurate forecast. Tune in to @AZMorningNews for the latest weather news: https://t.co/yZGKw0g8ON pic.twitter.com/rJZYCwDoQX

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) April 8, 2019

Gusty southwest to west winds will combine with low humidity (RH < 15%) to produce dangerous fire weather conditions Tuesday afternoon thru Wed afternoon. These conditions expected from far SE CA east into south-central AZ. Use caution around outdoor flames. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/tEhWvdAmOE

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) April 8, 2019

Phoenix wasn’t the first Arizona city to reach 90 degrees: Yuma recorded the temperature on Sunday.

Yuma has hit 90° for the first time this year! Remember that heat is the number one weather-related killer in Arizona, so be sure to take the necessary precautions to stay safe in the heat. #azwx pic.twitter.com/VjsOeh2Ud1

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) April 7, 2019

Capt. Rob McDade with the Phoenix Fire Department told KTAR News that people should rest, pre-hydrate and wear proper clothing if they think they will be outdoors for an extended period.

“Try to limit yourself. If you haven’t been out there in a while, know your limitations. Make sure you have plenty of water and you have the proper clothing,” he said.

“We have to get ourselves acclimated back to that desert weather, which is hot in the sun throughout the day.”

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

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