Phoenix-area weather expected to take leap to 106 degrees this week

PHOENIX – Just in time for Heat Awareness Week, the mercury is climbing in metro Phoenix and could reach 106 degrees late in the week, weather watchers said.

The National Weather Service in Phoenix said Thursday’s expected high will be followed by 105 degrees Friday, then 103 on Saturday, and 102 on Sunday.

“We are expecting another warmup to the triple digits,” Phoenix bureau meteorologist Gabriel Lojero said to KTAR News 92.3 FM Monday, “and the heat risk will rise to moderate levels for people sensitive to heat.”

If the temperatures reaches 106 degrees, it will the hottest day in the Valley this year, topping 105 recorded May 15.

Those numbers, Lojero said, “are well above normal” for this time of year, which generally is around 98 degrees.

The #Phoenix Heat Awareness Week forecast calls for a gradual warmup followed by a cooldown just in time for next weekend. Enjoy your week ahead safely! #heatawarenessweek #azheat #azwx pic.twitter.com/nfORBhjVFC

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) May 23, 2022

Gov. Doug Ducey proclaimed heat awareness week, which will run Monday through Friday. The weather service, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Department of Transportation partnered up on the heat safety campaign to raise awareness of the impact of extreme heat.

“We wanted to take this week to offer safety tips to drivers as they prepare to travel around during the summer,” ADOT spokesman Ryan Harding told KTAR News on Monday, when the high was only likely to reach 96 degrees.

Tips to help protect your vehicle in the heat include having the battery tested.

“Especially if it’s more than 3 years old,” Harding said. “Heat can really zap batteries.”

Next, check the coolant levels.

“Top them off, if necessary,” Harding said. “It’s very important to make sure your vehicle’s engine stays cool as it’s running.”

See to it that the air conditioner is in working order and make sure tires are properly inflated to reduce the risk of a blowout.

“We typically see a lot more tire treads on the roads during the summer because of the heat,” Harding said.

Your car isn’t the only thing that should be looked after in the heat.

“You want to be prepared as well. Make sure that you plan your route in advance. Have an emergency kit on hand that includes sun protection items: sun screen, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat [and] an umbrella,” he said.

Harding added keeping a cooler stocked with drinking water and some snacks and a fully charged cellphone and medication.

“Just in case of the unexpected – you might break down or get caught in traffic,” he said.

Other hot-weather driving recommendations from ADOT can be found online.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Brandon King and Luke Forstner contributed to this report.

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