Heat wave to send temperatures soaring across Phoenix area this week
May 26, 2020, 8:39 AM | Updated: 3:00 pm
(AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX – An early-season heat wave will send temperatures soaring to potentially record-setting levels across metro Phoenix this week.
“We’re looking at temperatures reaching 108 by Wednesday and then 111 by Friday, which is supposed to be the hottest day,” Jaret Rogers of the National Weather Service in Phoenix told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday.
As a result, an excessive heat warning will be in effect for the Valley from 10 a.m. Wednesday until 8 p.m. Saturday, meaning there’s an elevated risk for heat-related illness.
“If you have to be outside, definitely stay hydrated, take frequent breaks, seek shade, wear light clothing so you don’t get too overheated,” Rogers said.
“Basically, just find ways to stay cool and out of the sun as much as possible — and hydrated.”
Excessive Heat Watch: get ready (buy water, plan activities during earlier parts of the day)
Excessive Heat Warning: take action (drink plenty of water, limit time outdoors) #azwx #azheat #cawx #heatawarenessweek pic.twitter.com/wDnDkqFhET
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) May 26, 2020
The Phoenix summer heat usually doesn’t settle into the range expected this week until late June or July, Rogers said. Average temperatures for this time of year are about 98 degrees.
However, the early heat wave doesn’t mean we should expect the Phoenix summer to be any more scorching than usual, Rogers said.
“We’ll be pretty close to those [heat] records, which are usually in 110-112 range this time of year, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the whole summer is going to be hot,” he said.
Phoenix has never had more than two consecutive days of 110 degrees or above in May, but that could change if temperatures hit or slightly exceed forecast highs this week.
Some impressive information about the impending heatwave. #azwx pic.twitter.com/glOG2ybtSa
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) May 25, 2020
The weather service’s extended forecast models show more of the same for at least the next week, Rogers said.
“They do show a little bit of a cooldown by the middle of next week, and by cooldown I mean maybe closer to 100 degrees,” he said.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jeremy Foster contributed to this report.
