PHOENIX — The heat is on!
Phoenix hit 110 degrees for the first time this year on Thursday with a record-setting high of 113 degrees.
On average, our first 110-degree day happens around June 11th. The earliest on record was May 8, 1989.
Another record was set in Phoenix early Friday morning with a low temperature of only 87 degrees. That topped the record warm low for that day of 85 degrees set back in 1977.
Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for the Valley and much of Arizona's lower elevations through 8 p.m. Friday. So, we are in ABC15 Weather Action mode as a reminder to take action to keep yourself and others safe in this dangerous heat.
The risk of heat-related illnesses (like heat exhaustion and heat stroke) is on the rise as temperatures run more than 10 degrees above normal for this time of year.
While temperatures will trend down slightly through the weekend, Valley highs will still top out between 106 and 110 degrees each day.
Overnight lows will only cool into the low to mid 80s each morning.
It's a dangerous combination of warm mornings and sizzling hot afternoons, so stay hydrated, limit time outside in the heat of the day, take breaks in the air conditioning or shade, and never leave kids or pets in your vehicle.
Heat is the number one weather-related killer and this week's sizzling hot temperatures could be deadly.
In 2023, the deadliest year on record for heat deaths, 99 out of the 645 heat-related deaths happened when the heat risk was in the "major" category, and 162 deaths happened on days that were in the "moderate" category, which is where it will be across the Valley through the weekend.
