Relief from heat is on horizon
Respite is forecast for the Valley after a weekend of weather-related incidents
The weekend weather that was a factor in a hiker’s death on Sunday in the Valley and forced the first excessive-heat advisory of the year is expected to cool down a few degrees this week.
Valley temperatures hit the 109-degree mark on Sunday, making it the hottest day of 2013 so far, according to Keith Kincaid of the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said a hiker died on Sunday in the White Tank Mountains in the West Valley. Officials said Justin William Rodriguez, 21, collapsed on the trail several hours into his hike.
He went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead on the trail, according to sheriff’s officials. The department said heat contributed to the death.
It was the latest of several heat-related incidents that occurred on Valley trails over the weekend, prompting officials to remind residents to avoid hiking or exercising outside during heat warnings or advisories.
Scottsdale fire officials reminded hikers to carry plenty of water and a cellphone.
“There were several rescues on Piestewa Peak and Pinnacle Peak, and it’s because the heat gets to you,” Kincaid said.
Temperatures are expected to drop to about 104 or 105 degrees in the next couple of days, so another excessiveheat advisory is unlikely this week, Kincaid said.
July and August typically have the most excessive-heat advisories because the nighttime lows remain fairly high, retaining much of the day’s heat, he said.