Phoenix expected to break record for most 110 degree days in a year
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We’re not done with summer yet. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the Phoenix area through Sunday evening. High temperatures this weekend are expected to reach 113. That means 2023 will likely break the record for the most days in a single year with temperatures at or above 110.
On average, Phoenix sees 21 days per year with temperatures of 110 or higher. This year, Phoenix has already had 52 days that hot. If temperatures this weekend are as scorching as predicted, we’ll surpass the all-time record of 53 days in the 110s set back in 2020.
There is a 70% chance of near record high temperatures next weekend in Phoenix. If Saturday and Sunday both reach 110° as forecast, that will make 54 days, which would break the record set in the summer of 2020. #azwx pic.twitter.com/3KopsiLU1V
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 3, 2023
These temperatures are pretty unusual for September. On average, the last 110-degree day in Phoenix falls around Aug. 26. But the latest in the year Phoenix has ever recorded a 110-degree day was Sept. 19, back in 2010.
So will this be our last major heatwave in 2023?
“As we go through the month of September, these really extreme hot conditions will become less and less likely, so we can’t completely rule that out at this point, but this might be the last one, so we’ll see,” said Alex Young with the National Weather Service.
Young said temperatures are expected to cool off a little next week. Tuesday’s high is expected to be 103, which is just one degree above normal.
Phoenix has already broken several heat records this summer, including the longest-ever stretch of consecutive days with high temperatures at or above 110. The 31-day hot streak from June 30 to July 30 broke the previous 18-day record set in 1974.
