Phoenix Finally Sees a Break from Triple-Digit Heat After 113 Consecutive Days

After enduring an unprecedented 113 consecutive days of 100-degree temperatures, Phoenix has finally cooled down, with Tuesday’s high only reaching 93 degrees. This marks the first time since May 26 that the city has experienced a high below the triple digits, smashing the previous record of 76 days set in 1993, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

This historic heat wave has not only tested the endurance of Phoenix residents but also rewritten the city’s weather records. Along with the 113-day streak of triple-digit temperatures, Phoenix saw 61 days with highs above 110 degrees, another record-setting milestone for the city. The prolonged heat was largely attributed to a significant lack of monsoon activity, which typically brings relief in the form of cooler temperatures and rain. However, Sky Harbor recorded just 0.74 inches of rainfall during the 2024 monsoon season, a stark contrast to the average of 2-3 inches and only marginally better than the record-low of 0.15 inches set in 2023.

The intense heat wasn’t limited to daytime highs; nighttime lows also contributed to the severity of this heat wave, with many nights failing to drop below 90 degrees, further exacerbating the heat stress on residents and straining the city’s power grid. Phoenix experienced the hottest June ever recorded, followed closely by the second-hottest July. This year also marked the hottest meteorological summer (June through August) in Phoenix’s history, with an average temperature of 98.9 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 97 degrees set just last year in 2023.

Local officials and meteorologists have warned that such extreme heat events are likely to become more frequent as climate change continues to impact weather patterns in the Southwest. Phoenix residents are encouraged to remain vigilant in staying hydrated, seeking shade, and using air conditioning responsibly as the city braces for future heat waves. This break from the heat, while a much-needed relief, serves as a reminder of the growing challenges posed by rising temperatures in the region.

While the end of this record-breaking heat wave is a welcome relief, the experience has underscored the importance of community resilience and preparedness in the face of extreme weather conditions. As Phoenix moves into cooler months, city officials are already looking ahead, planning strategies to better protect vulnerable populations and infrastructure from the impacts of future heat waves.