Phoenix breaks daily heat record that was originally set in 1995

PHOENIX — Wednesday marked a blazing milestone as Phoenix shattered a 30-year-old heat record.

It marked the hottest Aug. 6 ever recorded in Phoenix as the temperature hit a blistering 116 degrees at Sky Harbor International Airport, which the National Weather Service uses for the city’s official readings.

The previous record was 114 degrees, originally set in 1995 and matched in 2018 and 2023.

Another heat record expected on Thursday

Another record is expected to fall on Thursday, when the forecast calls for a high of 117 degrees. The existing Aug. 7 mark of 112 degrees was set way back in 1905.

Although Aug. 6 set a heat record for Phoenix, it wasn’t the year’s hottest day.

Phoenix hit its fiery peak on July 9, when temperatures soared to a scorching 118 degrees.

The normal Phoenix high temperature for this time of year is 106 degrees.

Phoenix extreme heat news

The Phoenix area has been under an extreme heat warning since late last week. The warning is set to expire Friday at 8 p.m.

Due to the dangerous conditions, the following Phoenix hiking trails are restricted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on extreme heat warning days:

• Camelback Mountain: Echo Canyon Trail and Cholla trail.
• Phoenix Mountains Preserve: Piestewa Peak Summit Trail and associated trails.
• South Mountain Park and Preserve: Holbert Trail, Mormon Trail, Hau’Pal Loop Trail and access to the National Trail from the Pima Canyon Trailhead.

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