Phoenix sets 1st of what could be multiple daily heat records during historic hot spell

PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix broke a daily heat record on Friday amid a heat wave warming up the Southwest.

The temperatures peaked at 93 degrees, setting a new daily heat record.

The previous March 13 record was set in 2017 when the mercury reached 92 degrees at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the site used by the National Weather Service for the city’s official readings.

This new milestone comes as the Valley braces for even more extreme heat.

An unusually strong March heat wave — fueled by back-to-back high‑pressure systems — is driving Phoenix temperatures to levels rarely seen this early in the year. Forecasters expect the pattern to hold through the end of winter and into early spring.

Temperatures through this weekend and into next week will run well-above normal for this time of year. The first triple digits of 2026 appear likely as well as the potential to break all-time record temps for the month of March. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/YdOocvuy8E

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) March 13, 2026

If the city hits 100 degrees next week as expected, it would become Phoenix’s earliest triple‑digit day ever recorded.

Until now, Phoenix Sky Harbor has only reached 100 degrees once in March, on March 26, 1988.

For comparison, the city’s average first 100‑degree day doesn’t arrive until May 2.

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