Excessive Heat — Southeast Pinal County, Arizona

2023-06-26 to 2023-06-27 · Southeast Pinal County, Arizona

Event narrative

Very hot temperatures 6 to 11 degrees above normal were experienced in the lower elevations of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and southeast Pinal counties June 26-27, causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached. Some of the hottest temperatures during the period were 110 degrees at Cascabel, Safford Airport (record for June 26), and Sasabe (records both days); 109 at Duncan; 108 at Nogales and Picacho; 107 at Bisbee-Douglas Airport; and 106 at San Manuel and Willcox.

Wider weather episode

Hot temperatures 3 to 6 degrees above normal were experienced in the lower elevations of Pima, Santa Cruz, Graham, Greenlee and southeast Pinal counties June 24-30, with very hot temperatures 5 to 11 degrees above normal high temperatures breaking records in a few locations June 25-27. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two individuals found in the desert, one in Santa Cruz County and another on the Tohono O'odham Nation. Heat was determined to be a contributing factor in the death of five individuals in Tucson.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1113282. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.