Is it time to say goodbye to record heat and triple-digit temperatures in Phoenix?
Oct 14, 2024, 5:00 AM | Updated: 6:21 am

Phoenix is expected to soon see its first high temperatures under 100 degrees in at least three weeks. (KTAR News Photo)
(KTAR News Photo)
PHOENIX – It might finally be time to say goodbye to record heat and triple-digit temperatures in Phoenix, at least for the time being, according to forecasters.
The Valley’s unprecedented fall heat wave has been the result of a strong area of high pressure settling in across the southern United States, according to Mark O’Malley of the National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix.
However, Phoenix is expected to soon see its first day with a high below 100 degrees in about three weeks.
“There’ll be a little bit of energy moving in from the Pacific, and that will dislodge this area of high pressure,” O’Malley told KTAR News 92.3 FM last week. “So, we will cool below 100 degrees.”
Triple-digit temperatures create record heat wave
Sunday was the 20th consecutive day when Phoenix broke or tied the daily heat record.
There’s a chance that streak will reach a full three weeks on Monday, when the daily record is 100 degrees. But the heat wave is expected to break after that.
The forecast calls for highs in the 90s for Tuesday-Thursday before it finally starts resembling fall with highs in 70s and 80s through the rest of the week and weekend. In fact, the overnight temperatures could dip into the 50s this weekend.
October has been anything but fall-like in Phoenix
Halfway through the month, Phoenix is on pace for its hottest October ever after setting average heat records for June and September this year.
In fact, it’s been at least 100 every day since Sept. 23, the second day of fall.
An until this year, it had never reached 110 degrees at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which the NWS uses for the city’s official readings, after Sept. 19. But it’s reached that mark nine times later than that date this year, most recently on Oct. 7.
Is Phoenix done with triple-digit temperatures in 2024?
While O’Malley said a cooldown is coming, it doesn’t mean the Valley is definitely through with triple-digit temperatures for the year.
“Historically, we’ve hit 100 degrees as late as Oct. 27, so it still is possible. But all the signs … show a little bit cooler temperatures,” he said.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Heidi Hommel contributed to this report.