Record Heat Hits US Southwest

PHOENIX (AP) — An overnight storm in Phoenix brought some relief with 1.77 inches of monsoon rain, but the city remains gripped by excessive daytime heat. The National Weather Service reported a low of 79 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 Celsius) early Sunday, narrowly avoiding a record for overnight low temperatures. However, Saturday night’s low of 93 degrees (33.8 C) tied the previous year’s record of 35 consecutive nights in the 90s, with meteorologists predicting the 36th low will soon follow. The forecast indicates a high of 106 degrees (41.1 C) on Sunday, marking the 84th consecutive day of temperatures at or above 100 degrees (37.7 C). National Weather Service meteorologist Isaac Smith warned that there appears to be no end in sight for these extreme temperatures. Gabriel Lojero, another meteorologist, highlighted the health risks associated with prolonged heat, particularly the lack of overnight cooling that hampers the body’s recovery. The urban heat island effect exacerbates the situation in downtown Phoenix, where materials like concrete and asphalt retain heat overnight. In contrast, monsoon rains have provided some cooling relief to nearby Las Vegas, which recently experienced its lowest temperatures since June. Public health officials in Maricopa County have reported 96 confirmed heat-related deaths in 2024, with an additional 462 cases under investigation. The broader region, including Pima County and Clark County, Nevada, has also seen significant heat-related fatalities, underscoring the ongoing public health crisis linked to extreme heat.