Year’s hottest day so far
Phoenix reached the hottest temperature of 2020 so far with 115 degrees on Saturday afternoon. The high heat was expected to continue through the weekend with a high of 116 degrees forecast for today.
Phoenix reached a sweltering 115 degrees on Saturday afternoon, marking the hottest temperature so far this year, according to the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
The record temperature came after an excessive heat warning and forecasts of record-breaking temperatures through Monday at 8 p.m. in the Phoenix area and much of central and southern Arizona.
The high heat was expected to continue through the weekend with a high of 116 degrees forecast for today.
Saturday morning started at 94 degrees, beating the highest low temperature of 91 degrees in 2010.
The 115-degree high was a few degrees shy of the highest recorded temperature for July 11, which was 118 degrees in 1958.
The all-time record high for Phoenix remains at 122 degrees on June 26, 1990.
Many churches and community centers throughout Maricopa County were offering cool, indoor areas with free water for anyone without access to air conditioning. The Salvation Army is also operating emergency shelters for heat relief over the weekend.
National Weather Service meteorologist Paul Iñiguez said everyone should remember to mitigate their exposure to the heat.
“Staying indoors, making sure you’re hydrating. If you do have to go outdoors, limit your time that you are out there,” he said. “Even though the heat warning will subside on Monday, right now, it’s still going to be pretty hot through the remainder of the week.
“Our heat can be very dangerous and deadly throughout the entire course of the summer,” he added.
An excessive heat warning also was issued for northern Arizona with temperatures as high as 116 degrees near the Grand Canyon, Marble Canyon and Lake Powell.
The Flagstaff Pulliam Airport reached the record hottest temperature of 90 degrees this year, which the National Weather Service in Flagstaff said was the hottest recorded temperature the mountain city has seen since July 2018.