Excessive Heat — Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys, Arizona

2023-07-01 to 2023-07-08 · Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys, Arizona

Event narrative

Very hot temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached the first eight days of July. Record highs of 106 degrees on July 6 and 105 on July 3 and 7 occurred at the Nogales Airport and 106 degrees on July 3 at Sasabe. The hottest temperature was 107 at Sasabe on July 4 and 5. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for one individual found in the desert near Arivaca.

Wider weather episode

Persistent strong high pressure aloft created an extended period of very hot temperatures in early July across the lower elevations of southeast Arizona. High temperatures were 5 to 14 degrees above normal causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached and several record high temperatures to be established. A total of 13 heat-related fatalities were reported by the Pima County Medical Examiner.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1125845. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.