Phoenix could face hottest temperatures in Labor Day history
Sep 4, 2020, 2:00 PM | Updated: 2:03 pm
(AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)
PHOENIX — Not only will Phoenix be dealt hotter than normal temperatures for Labor Day weekend, they could be record setting.
Phoenix could face the hottest Labor Day in history Monday, with the high temperature forecast to be 111 degrees.
The record high on Labor Day is 112 degrees, set in 1945.
“The summer weather isn’t done with us in Arizona,” University of Arizona climatologist Mike Crimmins told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday. “We’re still in it with the summer weather, at least for the short term.”
Crimmins attributed the failure of the monsoon season to the abnormally hot temperatures this late in the year.
Saturday and Sunday will also be scorching hot with high temperatures expected to eclipse 110 degrees.
An excessive heat warning went into effect Friday and will remain in place until 8 p.m. Monday.
The last place anyone wants to be is stuck on the side of the highway this weekend with our excessive heat.
Just in case that becomes you, travel with extra water/food, and let a trusted someone know about your plans because cell phones can die. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/Lb3T6k1hFE
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 4, 2020
The National 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 was also 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.
The meteorological summer runs from June through August.
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.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.