Summer 2024 has officially marked its end as the hottest on record for Phoenix, Arizona, shattering the previous year’s record by two degrees. This scorching season, which meteorologically wraps up on August 31st, has kept temperatures consistently above the norm right from the start, with average readings soaring to 99 degrees over the months of June, July, and August.
The relentless heat has been attributed to persistent high pressure systems trapping warmth across the Southwest.
Matt Salerno, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, reported, “We’re currently 2 degrees ahead of last year, which was the hottest meteorological summer.” This uninterrupted hot spell has led to several notable records, including 96 consecutive days with triple-digit temperatures, the highest ever logged.
Completing the summer of extremes, Phoenix hasn’t had any day below 100 degrees since May 26. Reflecting on the weather patterns, Salerno noted, “This summer it has been persistently hot since basically June 1. We’ve been above normal pretty much every single day.” Meanwhile, total rainfall at the Sky Harbor International Airport measured just 0.75 of an inch this season, significantly lower than usual, adding pressure to the heat.
The records don’t stop there. Phoenix has also witnessed 37 days with morning lows above 90 degrees this summer, eclipsing the previous record of 34 days from just last year. To date, 2024 has seen 102 days above 100 degrees, shy of the historical high of 145 days recorded back in 2020.
Still, the grim outlook remains, as more high temperatures are anticipated heading toward fall, with forecasts indicating highs may once again rise above the 110-degree mark next week.
A look at Phoenix's broader weather backdrop reveals troubling trends, as summers seem to grow hotter and drier each year. Michael Crimmins, the climatologist from the University of Arizona, raises alarms about how the frequency of record temperatures forms part of overwhelming evidence of climate change. "The things were once rare are becoming less rare. Everybody knows it's hot here in the summer, and it seems we can hardly expect relief for much longer," he remarked.
While Phoenix may hold the reputation for extreme heat, it’s not the only location feeling the burn. Across Arizona and the West, records are falling as communities contend with relentless heat. Yuma prepares for its hottest summer ever, and Flagstaff is likely to emerge with its own record-breaking temperatures.
Even outside of Arizona, cities like Palm Springs and Las Vegas hit staggering highs, touching 124 and 120 degrees respectively earlier this summer. Climatologists warn these types of records may be the norm if trends continue, especially as humidity levels also rise during these extreme conditions.
Cities such as Washington, D.C. and New York City, known for their atypical summer temperatures, reported high humidity levels, leading them to feel even hotter than they were. Interestingly, July also contributed two of the hottest days ever recorded on Earth globally. Those days, July 21 and 22, 2024, surpassed previously documented highs, evidencing the growing concern over climate shifts.
Looking forward, the forecast indicates no signs of respite as Phoenix prepares for another scorching weekend. With temperatures expected to be at least 3 to 5 degrees above normal, the area is primed for another wave of extreme heat. Salerno remarked, “We will probably see highs above 110 as early as Wednesday. We’re staring down some pretty extreme temperatures for this time of year.”
Despite these conditions, which the community has grown accustomed to, this summer brings forth the pressing need for awareness, especially for vulnerable populations dealing with the heat's effects. Reports from local emergency rooms have noted increased cases of heatstroke and contact burns during the hottest days.
Meteorologists and climatologists alike share concerns but also highlight the value of gathering accurate temperature readings. Proper assessments of extreme weather events are important as they can inform necessary actions to mitigate their impact going forward.
To conclude, the summer of 2024 stands as both record-breaking and cautionary, reminding residents of Phoenix and beyond about the need for continuous adaptation and preparedness for rising temperatures. It’s not just summer's heat they need to worry about, but what these rising temperatures signal for the future.
