PHOENIX — High pressure is sending temperatures soaring and bringing unprecedented heat to Arizona for this time of year.
An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for the Phoenix metro area and much of the lower elevation deserts across Arizona through 8 p.m. Tuesday.
So, we are in ABC15 Weather Action mode until then as a reminder to take action in these dangerously hot temperatures. Stay hydrated, limit time outside in the afternoon and never leave kids or pets in the car no matter how quick the errand.
This heat wave is absolutely shattering records as Valley temperatures heat up between 110 and 115 degrees over the next several days. Average highs, which are considered "normal" for this time of year are in the mid 90s.
The latest 110-degree day ever recorded in Phoenix was previously September 19, 2010, but we broke that record this week day after day.
It's likely that we'll continue to mark the latest 110-degree day on record all the way through October 1st. Right now, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Phoenix in the month of October is 107 degrees.
There's even a chance we could hit 115 degrees on Saturday. If we do, that will break the record for the latest 115-degree day by 3 weeks! On average, Phoenix only sees 2 days a year at 115 or hotter, but we have really been upping the ante on that in recent years as our climate continues to get hotter.
Last year, we set a record 22 days at 115 or hotter and so far this year we've had 11. That puts 2024 in third place for the most on record, behind 2023 and 2020.
Thankfully, our nights are getting longer, so we do not anticipate any 90-degree lows. Overnight temperatures will drop into the low to mid 80s across the Valley, but even that's exceptionally warm for this time of year and we could set new daily record warm lows too.
Temperatures will gradually drop next week, but the triple digits are still in the forecast until the week of October 7th.
Our drought has been worsening over the past few months with the hotter and drier monsoon we've experienced. There are only a few days left to get rain in the buckets before the monsoon season officially ends on September 30th and our rain chances are slim to none all across Arizona.
So far, Phoenix has only picked up 0.74 inches of rain this monsoon season. Our 30-year average (which is considered our normal amount of rain) is 2.43 inches. But, it's important to remember, that is a decrease from the previous 30-year average of 2.71 inches (from 1981-2010) as our Valley climate continues to get hotter and drier.
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2024 Sky Harbor Official Rainfall to date: 4.54" (-0.76" from average)
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Daily rainfall reports from all across the Valley can be found here.
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PHOENIX IS GETTING DRIER - LOWER RAINFALL AVERAGES NOW
Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 2.71" of rain
NEW Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 2.43" of rain
Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 8:03" of rain
NEW Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 7.22" of rain
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