Phoenix reached a new milestone in terms of heat on Tuesday: In the capital of Arizona, temperatures exceeded 38 degrees for the 100th day in a row.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Phoenix used X to announce the record-breaking news and warned that dangerously high temperatures are forecast to continue.
“Phoenix just hit that mark today and the streak looks set to continue with no end in sight at this time,” NWS Phoenix wrote, adding, “This is by far the longest streak ever.”
According to the agency, the previous record was 76 consecutive days in 1993.
A man tries to cool off in a children’s wading pool, June 25, 2024, in Phoenix.
Matt York/AP, FILE
On May 27, temperatures in Phoenix reached triple digits for the first time. The city experienced the first day of the series with temperatures over 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Since then, temperatures have remained consistently high or even higher.
According to the agency, the measurements will be carried out at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Ariane Middel, a professor at Arizona State University’s Urban Climate Research Center, called the milestone “a historic and alarming milestone in our ongoing fight against extreme heat.”
“The persistent heat exacerbates health risks, especially for vulnerable populations,” said Middel.
Heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, occur when a person’s body temperature rises faster than the body can cool itself. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these illnesses can damage the brain and other vital organs.
Early symptoms may include dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness and fatigue, according to the agency.
The health authority also points out that older adults, very young people and people with chronic illnesses and mental illnesses are most at risk of heat illnesses.
“This record-breaking heat in Phoenix underscores the urgent need for national awareness of extreme heat. The continued exposure to such high temperatures is not just a local problem here in Phoenix, but part of broader climate trends that could affect other regions as well,” she added.
Officials say Phoenix is on the verge of setting another extreme heat record the next time the thermostat hits 109 degrees, which could happen this week.
In 2023, Phoenix set the previous record of 54 days with temperatures at or above 109 degrees – and on Friday the city reached that mark.
On Tuesday morning, the NWS Phoenix issued an “extreme heat warning” for the region, as temperatures 10 degrees above normal are expected in the city and much of the Southwest from Wednesday through Friday.
A power lineman works on power lines in the morning sun in Phoenix on July 12, 2024.
Matt York/AP, FILE
In Los Angeles, California, temperatures could reach 38 degrees Celsius, and in Phoenix almost 46 degrees Celsius.
“Remember to protect yourself from the heat by staying hydrated and limiting time outdoors,” the agency warned.
This comes as more than 35 million Americans in eight states from California to North Dakota are under heat and wildfire warnings.
Extreme heat was a reality in the United States and around the world this summer.
According to the Global Climate Report of the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), July 2024 was the hottest month since global records began in 1850.
According to the report, it was also the 14th month in a row that the temperature record was broken.
