Phoenix reaches 110 degrees in October for 1st time in city history

PHOENIX — The calendar flipped to October on Tuesday, and for the first time in history, Phoenix reached 110 degrees in the 10th month of the year.

The mercury hit 110 degrees at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which the National Weather Service uses for the city’s official readings, at 1:15 p.m.

Less than an hour earlier, Phoenix hit 108 degrees to set a daily heat record. The high for the day ended up being 113 degrees. The previous daily record of 107 degrees was set in 2020.

Will it hit 110 degrees in Phoenix more times in October?

Tuesday will likely not be a heat anomaly in Phoenix this month.

The forecast calls for new record highs each day through at least Monday. High temperatures will hover around 110 degrees during that stretch, so it’s possible Tuesday won’t be the only 110-degree day in October.

NWS meteorologist Sean Benedict told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday that a large ridge of high pressure is to blame for elevated temperatures in the western U.S. As a result, he added, the excessive heat warning currently in effect through Friday night for the Valley could be extended through the weekend.

Not only that, but Phoenix closed out its hottest September with seven consecutive days either matching or breaking the daily heat record.

The average temperature for September was 94.6 degrees, smashing the previous record of 92.2 degrees in 2001. The average daytime high during Phoenix’s September was 106.6 degrees, and the average low was 82.5.

Phoenix’s hottest September followed its hottest June, second hottest July and third hottest August. Additionally, the 2024 “meteorological summer” (June-August) was the city’s hottest on record.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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