An overnight storm in Phoenix prevented the city from breaking a record for low temperatures, but daytime heat continues to be excessive. The National Weather Service in Phoenix reported that the low temperature around dawn on Sunday was 79 degrees Fahrenheit after up to 1.77 inches of monsoon rain fell in the metro area. The city saw a low of 93 degrees on Saturday night, tying the record set last year of 35 overnight lows in the 90s. Meteorologists predict that the 36th overnight low in the 90s will likely occur soon.
Phoenix experienced its hottest summer on record in July 2023 with 16 consecutive days of 90 degrees or below. However, the city is now setting a new record for the most consecutive days at or above 100 degrees. With an expected high of 106 degrees on Sunday, it will mark 84 days in a row hitting 100 degrees or hotter, surpassing the previous record of 76 consecutive triple-digit days set in August 1993.
National Weather Service experts warn that the relentless heat wave is far from over, with temperatures expected to reach 112 degrees on Monday and 114 on Tuesday in Phoenix. The city is under an excessive heat watch for the upcoming days.
Phoenix is not the only area grappling with extreme heat. Monsoon rainstorms brought relief to Las Vegas, where temperatures dropped to 81 degrees on Thursday, marking the coolest weather since June 21. Meanwhile, New Mexico is bracing for scorching temperatures, with Albuquerque seeing highs nearing triple digits and even hotter weather forecasted for southern counties along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The brutal summer heat in the Southwest has led to a rise in heat-related deaths. Maricopa County in Arizona has reported 96 confirmed heat-related deaths so far in 2024, with another 462 under investigation. In 2023, the county reported a total of 645 heat-related deaths. In neighboring Pima County, which includes Tucson, authorities confirmed 99 heat-related deaths, with an additional four in rural counties contracting their forensic services.
Clark County in Nevada, home to Las Vegas, has confirmed 123 heat-related deaths this year. In New Mexico, more than 760 visits to healthcare facilities have been made due to heat-related illnesses since April 1, with 29 visits in the past week alone. Eleven heat-related deaths were reported in May, all in Doña Ana County. Officials caution that the actual number of heat-related deaths may be higher as not all cases fall under the purview of the medical examiner’s office.