The hottest day ever in Phoenix: A deeper look

The all-time record hottest morning low was set Wednesday at 97 degrees. By the afternoon, the temperature reached 119 degrees at Sky Harbor Airport-- tied for 4th hottest ever recorded in Phoenix. In fact, the average temperature (between morning low and afternoon high) made Wednesday, June 19 the hottest day ever in Phoenix at an average of 108 degrees. The previous record was 106.5 degrees set on the same day we reached 122 degrees: June 26 1990. With all these records, one thing is clear: temperatures around Downtown Phoenix tend to be a few degrees hotter than surrounding parts of the East, West or even North Valley. But why? A big factor is the Valley's Urban Heat Island. Concentration of buildings, concrete and asphalt absorb more heat, and hold on to it throughout the night. Meteorologist Krystal Ortiz explains the impacts of our rapidly growing city.