Excessive heat watch issued for metro Phoenix over Labor Day weekend

PHOENIX — Sorry, Phoenicians, but the summer heat isn’t going to take off the upcoming Labor Day weekend.

An excessive heat watch was issued beginning 10 a.m. Friday and will last through Monday at 8 p.m.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 111 degrees by the weekend. The high temperature on Labor Day is expected to be 109 degrees.

“Our confidence is fairly good that we’re not done with the 110 degree days and will be reaching near-record levels again by the end of the week,” National Weather Service officials said in an email.

Well above normal temperatures return later this week. In fact, an Excessive Heat Watch has been issued for the lower deserts for Friday through Monday. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/1KEtgp33Rx

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 1, 2020

A scorching hot Labor Day weekend would be par for the course this summer in metro Phoenix.

The weather service announced Monday that August was the hottest month in the city’s history, besting a mark that had previously been set in July.

This summer has also been the hottest in the Valley’s history, with an average temperature of 96.7 degrees.

That mark topped the old record by 1.6 degrees.

So far, Phoenix has seen 50 days of with a temperature of 110 degrees this year. Previously, the record for a year had been 33 days set in 2011.

During periods of extreme heat, experts advise people to stay hydrated, limit the amount of time outside, try to stay inside air conditioned buildings and remember to check on elderly family members and neighbors.

People are also advised to watch for warning signs of heat-related illnesses, which can include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache and nausea.

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