Hottest summer recorded in Phoenix, Yuma with August in the history books

PHOENIX — With August now in the rearview mirror, Phoenix officially endured the hottest summer since records were first kept in 1896.

The National Weather Service said the daily average temperature from June to August, labeled the meteorological summer, was 98.9 degrees Fahrenheit. It broke a previous record set just last year when the average temperature was 97.0 degrees.

Meteorological summer 2024 (Jun-Jul-Aug) ended as the hottest in the period of record for both Phoenix (since 1896) and Yuma (since 1878) based on average daily temperature. Essentially every long term climate site in Arizona also recorded their hottest summer as well. #azwx pic.twitter.com/SVvvMsslIS

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 1, 2024

August alone finished as third hottest in city history at a daily clip of 98.7 degrees. This year only trailed 2023 (98.8) and 2020 (99.1).

The start of September does not offer any reprieve, as the predicted high on Labor Day is 105 degrees and Wednesday and Thursday could bring highs of 112 or 113 degrees.

NWS’ Mark O’Malley told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday that 105 degrees is a normal daily high during the transition from August into September.

Meteorological summer has ended! It runs Jun-Aug (it's how we can easily track data). Unfortunately, many cities and towns in Arizona and the west and southwest just experienced their hottest summer on record (those dark red squares).#azwx #Monsoon2024 pic.twitter.com/GnQ1JbbTuz

— AZ State Climate (@AZStateClimate) September 1, 2024

As far as precipitation goes, NWS said Sunday offers a 10% chance of rain falling on metro Phoenix. If rain hits, experts predict it will come in isolated storms from 6-10 p.m.

The rest of September’s opening week has a high chance of dry conditions with atypical heat expected.

Yuma posted a daily average of 95.7 degrees from June to August, surpassing the 1994 mark of 95.3.