Heat — Southwest Maricopa County, Arizona
June 16, 2013 · NOAA Storm Events record
Event narrative (NOAA)
Strong high pressure through the middle part of June led to above normal temperatures, but a few degrees shy of excessive heat criteria. High temperatures from June 16-18th were in the 105-109 range across the southern Arizona Deserts. Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies reported finding 4 male bodies on June 20th in the desert near mile post 133 along Interstate 8 outside of Gila Bend. They indicated the men had died at least three days before the bodies were found, so likely in the June 16-17 time frame. Officials believed the men were immigrants who had recently crossed the Mexico/U.S. border. Cause of death is currently not known, but heat was presumed to be at least partially to blame as there were no signs of foul play.
Other notable 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.