NWS: Phoenix hits 102°F, sets new record for number of days with triple-digit temperatures
PHOENIX - Phoenix has set another new record for the number of days where the high temperature was at 100°F or above, according to the National Weather Service.
According to the agency, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport reached 102°F during the afternoon hours of Oct. 16, meaning the Phoenix area has seen 145 days where the high temperatures were at or above the century mark.
The high temperature on Oct. 16 also breaks a previous record of 101°F that was set in 1991, according to NWS officials.
On Oct. 14, the Valley saw another day with triple-digit temperatures, marking 144 days with temperatures at or above 100°F. The previous record for the number of days with a high of 100°F or higher, according to NWS officials, was in 1989, which saw 143 days with triple-digit temperatures. The record was tied on Oct. 13.
Phoenix has already set several weather records this year with 50 days of 110-degree heat and the hottest August ever since tracking began in 1896.
Arizona and California had their warmest April-September period in 126 years, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. For Arizona, that six-month interval was the state’s driest period ever.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Preventing heat exhaustion/heat stroke
The Arizona Department of Health Services stated the following precautions can be taken to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke:
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings
- Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day (mid-day)
- Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors at least twice a day
- Drink water before, during, and after working or exercising outside
Driving in extreme temperatures
The Arizona Department of Transportation’s tips for driving in extreme temperatures include:
- Have sun protection: In addition to an umbrella, take sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat and wear loose-fitting, light-colored cotton clothing.
- Fuel up: Keep your tank at three-quarters full. Running out of gas, especially in a remote location, is dangerous in extreme heat.
- Hydrate: Take a cooler to keep extra drinking water cold, and consider adding several frozen bottles of water to use for cooling off or to thaw and drink if needed. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays hydrated.
- Get help: If your vehicle breaks down in extreme heat, call for assistance right away to reduce wait time, and run the AC. If the AC isn’t working, roll down all windows.
- Wait safely: If the temperature inside your vehicle becomes too hot, everyone, including pets, should exit carefully and seek out or create a shaded area as far away from the travel lanes as possible. Be careful walking on the road surface, which can be hot enough to burn skin. Keep your shoes on and try to keep your pets’ paws off the pavement. If you are stopped along the highway, raise the front hood and turn on hazard lights. Please keep in mind that parking in tall brush can start a fire.
- Check your vehicle: You can help avoid breakdowns and blowouts by making sure your vehicle is in good operating condition. Check your air conditioner and coolant levels, top off any vital engine fluids and make sure your battery is up to par. Check your tire pressure, as the combination of under inflated tires and hot pavement can lead to a blowout.
MORE: https://azdot.gov/about/transportation-safety/severe-weather