Excessive Heat — Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys, Arizona

2023-07-02 to 2023-07-09 · Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys, Arizona

Event narrative

Very hot temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached July 2-9. Record highs of 110 degrees on July 3 and 108 on July 7 occurred at the Safford Airport, 109 degrees on July 2 and 6 at the Safford Ag Station, and 107 degrees on July 7 at Duncan. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for one individual in Thatcher on July 3 who was found in their home with a nonfunctioning A/C unit.

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 1125861. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.