Arizona‘s biggest city Phoenix has hit a new heat record after the mercury rose to a balmy 110F for 54 days in a row.
The sweltering summer of 2023 has seen a historic heat wave stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and into California‘s desert.
And the Grand Canyon State’s capital was one of the cities most affected by the blast furnace weather.
Matt Salerno, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said the hot streak could reach 55 days Sunday – with the mercury set to soar past 110F yet again.
‘We do have one more day,’ he said.
An extreme heat warning remained in effect across the sizzling city in the Sonoran Desert, with temperatures forecast at 111 F on Sunday and 106 F on Monday.
Salerno said Phoenix experienced the hottest three months since record-keeping began in 1895, including the hottest July and the second-hottest August.
The daily average temperature of 97 F in June, July and August passed the previous record of 96.7 F set three years ago.
The average daily temperature was 102.7 F in July, Salerno said, and the daily average in August was 98.8 F.
In July, Phoenix also set a record with a 31-day streak of highs at or above 110 F. The previous record of 18 straight days was set in 1974.
Worldwide, last month was the hottest August ever recorded, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
It was also the second hottest month measured, behind only July 2023. Scientists blame human-caused climate change with an extra push from a natural El Nino, which is a temporary warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean that changes weather around the globe.
As of Saturday, Phoenix has tallied 104 days this year with temperatures over 100 F, Salerno said. That’s in line with the average of 111 triple-digit days every year between 1991 and 2020.
Maricopa County, home to Phoenix and the most populous county in Arizona, also appears headed toward an annual record for heat-associated deaths.
County public health officials have confirmed 194 heat-associated deaths this year as of Sept. 2. An additional 351 cases are under investigation.
Maricopa County confirmed 425 heat-related deaths in 2022.
A video posted to social media shows one Arizona resident resorting to desperate measures to keep cool.
Footage shows Heidi Lavon being sprayed by a high-powered hose while out under the hot temperatures.
Donning a red bikini, Nelly’s hit song It’s Getting Hot was played over top of the clip to illustrate the heat.
‘Why is everyone so pressed about the weather here?’ TikToker Heidi Lavon said.
Last month, 50 Cent has postponed his Phoenix, Arizona show after learning ‘dangerous’ temperatures would be afflicting the area.
The rapper, 48, announced his August 28 show had been pushed back after an excessive heat warning went into effect and forecast a high of 116 degrees.
‘Due to extreme heat, the show tomorrow in Phoenix, AZ is being postponed. For anyone who would like a refund, please go to point of purchase for instructions.
‘I’ll be back in Arizona soon! 116 degrees is dangerous for everyone (shrug emoji). #bransoncognac #lecheminduroi @thefinallaptour,’ he captioned the post.
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