Excessive Heat — Tohono O Odham Nation, Arizona

2023-07-14 to 2023-07-29 · Tohono O Odham Nation, Arizona

Event narrative

Very hot temperatures of 5 to 13 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across the Tohono O'odham Nation July 14-29. Record highs at Sells included 113 degrees on July 20; 112 on July 19; 111 on July 17, 18, 21 and 22; and 110 on July 15, 17 and 29. A total of 12 heat-related fatalities were reported by the Pima County Medical Examiner. Heat was determined to be the primary cause of death for eight individuals found in the desert during the period; one individual who died in a non-air conditioned shack in Topawa on July 21; and an elderly couple who died in their Santa Rosa home due to a broken A/C unit on July 27. Heat was determined to be a contributing factor for one individual found in a shack in Ali Chugk on July 20. A complicating factor in the fatality was drug toxicity.

Wider weather episode

Persistent strong high pressure aloft created an extended period of very hot temperatures July 14-30 across southeast Arizona. High temperatures were 5 to 14 degrees above normal causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached and numerous high temperatures to be established. Several dozen heat-related fatalities were reported by the Pima County Medical Examiner.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1127012. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.