ARIZONA NEWS

Unprecedented stretch of fall heat expected to shatter records in Phoenix

Sep 25, 2024, 8:25 AM | Updated: 1:40 pm

Phoenix temperature records...

Mister weather continues into the fall in Phoenix. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — The seasons may have changed, but the summer heat isn’t easing its searing grip on the Valley.

Phoenix temperature records are expected to fall like leaves this week due to an unprecedented autumn heat wave.

“We do have a strong area of high pressure that’s going to be sitting right over the western United States. That’s really going to be helping boost these temperatures for us well above normal,” Isaac Smith, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Phoenix, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday morning.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which the NWS uses for the city’s official readings, tied a record for the date on Tuesday by hitting 108 degrees, but that was just a warmup.

On Wednesday, Phoenix topped its 35-year-old record for the date, which had been 108 degrees.

The forecast calls for highs of at least 110 degrees Wednesday through Sunday, with new Phoenix temperature records expected each day at least through Tuesday.

“We’re going to be looking at these temperatures … just absolutely the shattering these records in some cases,” Smith said.

Saturday is expected to be the hottest of the upcoming hot days, with a forecast high of 113 degrees, a whopping 5 degrees above the existing record for the date.

Arizona’s most populous city has never seen this kind of heat this deep into a year. Until now, the latest date with a high of 110 degrees in Phoenix was Sept. 19 in 2010.

The highs in Phoenix are normally 96-97 degrees this time of year.

Excessive heat warning issued for low desert areas

To alert the public, the NWS is activating an excessive heat warning for the low deserts of central and southwestern Arizona. The warning is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Per city of Phoenix policy, the Echo Canyon and Cholla trails at Camelback Mountain and all Piestewa Peak trails are closed from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. on days when excessive heat warnings are in effect.

“When we see temperatures like this, it is very important to stay cool and to stay hydrated,” Smith said. “You definitely need to be eliminating your time outdoors. If you have any activities you need to be doing outside, be doing that early in the morning before we start seeing this heat really ramp up.”

Phoenix temperature records keep coming

Phoenix temperature records are nothing new in 2024. The city already set a standard for most days of at least 110 degrees in a year at 61 and counting. The old mark was 55 days in 2023.

Phoenix also endured a record-shattering 113-day streak of temperatures reaching triple digits, which finally ended last week.

And if that’s not enough, Phoenix’s 2024 “meteorological summer” (June-August) was the hottest on record, with an average temperature of 98.9 degrees.

It might not just be the daily highs that add to the record list this week, Smith said.

“We’re going to be looking at overnight lows in the upper 70s to low 80s, so we’ll maybe looking at some record warm lows as well,” he said.

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

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

81° | 51°
53° and clear

Arizona News

Westbound Interstate 10 was closed in Tempe early Thursday due to law enforcement situation....

Kevin Stone

Westbound I-10 closed in Tempe due to law enforcement activity

Westbound Interstate 10 was closed in Tempe early Thursday due to a law enforcement situation, authorities said.

15 minutes ago

(City of Phoenix media photo)...

Bailey Leasure

Phoenix reaches housing creation and preservation goal 5 years early

Phoenix announced it has reached its goal of creating or preserving over 53,000 houses throughout the city.

2 hours ago

The Mesa Library has begun installing solar panel canopies. In addition to generating energy, the s...

David Veenstra

Mesa Library installing solar panel canopies to generate energy, provide shaded parking

The Mesa Library has begun installing solar panel canopies. In addition to generating energy, the solar panel canopies will provide covered parking.

2 hours ago

Valley events calendar...

KTAR.com

Valley events calendar: Here’s a rundown of things to do around metro Phoenix

Our Valley events calendar keeps you up to date on the wide variety of activities across the Phoenix area.

2 hours ago

(Pixabay photo)...

Bailey Leasure

Investigation involving death of Phoenix woman upgraded to homicide

A case involving the death of a Phoenix woman in December has been upgraded to a homicide following an investigation, authorities said Wednesday.

9 hours ago

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced she is launching a new webpage that will monitor ...

Bailey Leasure

Arizona attorney general launches webpage to monitor federal funding issues

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced she is launching a new webpage that will monitor federal funding issues.

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

Unprecedented stretch of fall heat expected to shatter records in Phoenix