Temperature in Phoenix hits 118 degrees, breaks record dating to 1905 – Extreme heat investigated in 62 Phoenix deaths

Desdemona Despair

PHOENIX, 8 July 2017 (Associated Press) – Phoenix has broken a 112-year-old record for heat.

National Weather Service meteorologists say the Arizona city had a high of 118 degrees on Friday.

That broke the previous mark of 115 degrees dating back to 1905.

Meteorologists say the normal high temperature for July 7 in Phoenix is 107 degrees.

So far this year, the temperature at Sky Harbor Airport has reached at least 110 degrees 17 times.

In California, a heat advisory in the San Joaquin Valley warned of temperatures from 103 to 107 through Saturday.

Phoenix hits 118 degrees, breaks record dating to 1905

By Mike Sunnucks
8 July 2017

(Phoenix Business Journal) – Phoenix’s extreme heat — which has seen record high temperatures this summer — may have caused as many as 62 deaths.

That is according to the latest data from the Maricopa County Health Department.

The county health department has confirmed five heat related deaths so far this year and is investigating another 57 fatalities that could be caused by the extreme heat.

Phoenix set a record 118 degrees Friday and it was 120 in some suburban areas.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has also issued high pollution advisories with ozone levels and air quality at unhealthy levels.

That came after record 120-degree heat in June.

In June, there were 13 days with excessive heat warnings and 11 days with temperatures above 110 degrees, according to the county health department.

That wave prompted record energy use, according to Arizona Public Service Co. and Salt River Project, the Phoenix region’s two electric companies.  [more]

Extreme heat investigated in 62 Phoenix deaths after temps hit 118, 120