Excessive Heat — Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona
August 22, 2011 · NOAA Storm Events record
Event narrative (NOAA)
Strong high pressure and a dry airmass led to excessive heat over the lower deserts of Arizona, starting Monday August 22nd and continuing through the end of the month. The hottest days during the heat wave were the first five, Monday through Friday, when the highs at Phoenix ranged from 113 to 117 degrees. The five consecutive days at or above 113 ties for the third longest streak of days with a high of 113 or greater. The 117 degree maximum on Friday August 26 not only broke the record for the date, but was the latest 117 degree maximum ever recorded, and the highest temperature ever recorded for the month of August. The extreme head led to the deaths of two people in the Phoenix area. A 70 year old woman was found dead Wednesday morning in her Surprise home after her air conditioner fai
Other notable excessive heat events in Arizona
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.