Phoenix has had a long and miserable run of heat so far this month. They are currently up to 20 consecutive days with a maximum temperature of 110˚F or higher, which is a new record.
 |
| Source: https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/ |
Not surprisingly, the 20-day average maximum temperature is also the highest on record.
 |
| https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/ |
And similarly the average temperature for the period (I haven't bothered to look at where the average minimum ranks).
 |
| https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/ |
Yesterday's high of 119˚F tied the 4th highest of all time.
The NWS grid-point forecast for Sky Harbor airport shows little hope for relief. Forecast highs for the next week are 119, 119, 116, 115, 114, 115, and 115.
 |
| Accessed 6:55 AM MDT 20 July 2023 |
Monsoon showers and thunderstorms during this period look to remain spotty. There is always the hope that something pops up in the right place and right time to clip the temps below 110˚F, but that's not a highly likely scenario.
Heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States. According to the Arizona Republic, there have been 18 confirmed heat caused or related deaths in Maricopa County so far this year with another 69 under investigation. About a third of those were homeless. Access to air conditioning is critical. A prolonged power outage would be a serious threat to many, especially the elderly.
Phoenix is like something out of Dune at this point.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but it’s a dry heat.
ReplyDeleteI hear the burning gates of Hell emit a dry heat as well. Makes it more bearable.
Deletewhat religious document did you glean that from?
DeleteHaving spent a considerable amount of time in both the dry heats of the west and the humidity of the east, it is my conclusion that above 100 degrees, the humidity stops making a difference and the heat simply gets you differently. Best I can describe it is this: if it's 100 with dewpoints in the 70s, you melt; if it's 100 with dewpoints in the 20s, you roast.
DeleteIncredible run of hot weather! Of note is the all time high for KPHX is 122 back in June of 1990 at a different location, the current location has been in place since 2000. Hard to find much information on the old location but I heard it had to be moved since it was no longer representative of the area. I don't know the details of what happened to the old location but the temperatures were reading high, I think it had something to do with concrete/pavement/buildings encroaching on the site.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to KPHX makes me think of what is happening around KSLC which is no longer representative of the area. I think what needs to happen to KSLC is a move to the south of 1300' feet which is an open area that looks like the current site looked in 2011 with more native weeds/grasses rather than dirt/gravel.
I drove to the airport this morning at around 6am and my car read 73 degrees at the airport and then dropped to 68 degrees when I returned to my house in Liberty Wells. Not the most scientific observation, but I have to question some of these official readings we’ve been seeing in recent years
DeleteWhat an interesting year it has been so far. And I think it’s only going to get more bizarre. Typically monsoon moisture really starts to cool off certain parts of the SW but this has been a slow start. Marginal. Meager.
ReplyDeleteEven with the heat. fire season is off to a slow start too. But it’s a double edge sword because there’s been a lack of lightning from monsoon storms that reduces fire starts. But there hasn’t been enough rainfall to prevent fire starts.
The latest El Niño discussion was interesting because there’s a curve ball in the current synopsis. It’s different so far because where El Niño typically causes certain parts of the ocean to be much cooler, those specific areas are still running warm. So it’s really throwing off seasonal trade wind patterns. Lack of wind speeds strengthen El Niño. I personally believe this El Niño is being under forecasted. There’s areas of water off S America 5 degrees Celsius above average. Incredible.
It looks like last night's overnight min was 82, which would tie the KSLC all-time record. NWS is going for 107 high at KSLC today, which would also tie an all-time record. Of course, we'll have the convective flies in the ointment to possibly mess with things...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cnn.com/2023/07/24/health/arizona-heat-burns-er/index.html
ReplyDeletearticle this morning on CNN!
January thru June was very much cooler and wetter than normal and then July came along and it suddenly got quite hot and dry. No need to spaz out.
ReplyDelete