Seema Khaneja MD
Updated on: October 8, 2024 1:17 am GMT
PHOENIX, AZ — Phoenix continues to sizzle, as record heat grips the city. On Thursday, September 5, 2024, temperatures reached a remarkable 116 degrees Fahrenheit, marking the 56th day this year that temperatures reached 110 degrees or higher. This impressive feat breaks the previous record of 55 days, set in 2023, underscoring a trend of increasing temperatures in the region that climatologists say points to broader climate change concerns.
According to the National Weather Service, the temperature surge on Thursday not only defined a new benchmark for the city but also reset records for the hottest September 5 and the latest date to hit 116 degrees Fahrenheit. This summer has established new records, with Phoenix recording an average temperature from June through August of 98.9 degrees, nearly two degrees higher than the previous year.
Record-Breaking Summer Heat
This summer’s relentlessly high temperatures have prompted alarm from climatologists, who warn that the climate crisis is manifesting in alarming ways. Phoenix has experienced 102 straight days with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, surpassing the previous all-time record of 76 days set in 1993. “Day by day, it was hotter last year, but this year we just had that much more consistent heat over the region through the entire season,” remarked Ryan Worley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
Last year recorded an unusual cooling trend in June, followed by a sweltering July and August. However, the concerning pattern consists of extreme highs persisting throughout the summer of 2024, with a staggering high of 119 degrees recorded earlier in the season. In addition, the past summer has continued a streak of increasing heat records across the southwestern United States.
Wider Impact Across the Southwest
The intense summer heat has not just affected Phoenix. Throughout the state of Arizona, record high temperatures have been reported in various locations. Cities such as Yuma have experienced an average temperature of 95.7 degrees, with cooler regions like Flagstaff and Winslow also setting new average temperature records.
Not to be outdone, Death Valley, which has claimed the title of the hottest place on Earth, recorded an average summer temperature of 104.5 degrees. The extreme heat has also hit cities like Palm Springs, which registered temperatures reaching a scorching 124 degrees, and Las Vegas, at 120 degrees.
The Weather Dynamics Behind the Heat
The observed persistently high temperatures are attributed to an atmospheric high-pressure system, commonly referred to as a heat dome. This system is known to trap warm air and suppress rainfall, which has been notably low across the region. Last year marked the driest monsoon season on record, and 2024’s unyielding heat is on track to exacerbate drought conditions.
Meteorologists have highlighted that despite some slight cooling expected due to the weakening of the heat dome, triple-digit temperatures will likely persist for the foreseeable future. Ted Whittock of the National Weather Service indicated that guidance anticipates continued above-normal temperatures into the fall season. “All of our long-term guidance is still pointing to above-normal temperatures,” Whittock said.
Public Response and Adjustment
Resilience among Phoenix residents is apparent as they make adjustments to cope with the enduring heat. School teacher Michaele Rague has implemented a swift morning recess policy to mitigate children’s exposure to the extreme temperatures. Even as individuals like Robb Vaules acknowledge that hot summers are typical for the region, they express concern over the record-breaking conditions. “It’s not normal for it to be this hot this long,” Vaules remarked.
Many residents have altered their routines, limiting outdoor activities to early morning or late evening hours when temperatures are slightly more bearable. As Kimberly Camarillo noted, the normalization of high temperatures has had psychological effects as well, leading to plans for relocation among some residents. “I definitely need to take steps to change things,” she stated, referencing broader climate change issues.
Statistical Insights and Projections
As weather patterns become increasingly erratic, climatologists have compiled significant records from this summer. Among these are:
- A low temperature of 93 degrees on Friday morning, setting a new warm low record for September.
- A high of 116 degrees on Thursday, which is the highest temperature recorded to date for that month.
- More days at or above 110 degrees than any previous year on record.
- The hottest June and summer aligned with ongoing temperature climbing trends across the globe.
Though forecasts show potential respite with the expected weakening of the heat dome, meteorologists have cautioned that high temperatures will remain a feature of life in the Phoenix area. “Typically, we see the last reported 100-degree day around October 5,” warned weather experts.
The severe heat has also raised concerns amid ongoing climate discussions. Climatologists are increasingly alarmed at what this means for the future. As Michael Crimmins from the University of Arizona said, “The things that were rare are becoming less rare,” highlighting a continual shift that is merely part of the climate change narrative.
Because of the bad weather, people should keep up with local news and health updates to stay safe from the heat. Even though the temperatures are breaking records, it’s really important to talk about what we can do to help the climate now more than ever.
