Heat — Upper San Pedro River Valley, Arizona

2023-07-31 · Upper San Pedro River Valley, Arizona

Event narrative

Hot temperatures 3 to 5 degrees above normal caused the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached in the Sierra Vista area where temperatures reached the mid to upper 90s. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined heat to be the primary cause of death for an elderly man who died on a hiking trail.

Wider weather episode

Strong high pressure continued to create hot temperatures 2 to 8 degrees above normal July 30-31 in parts of southeast Arizona and caused the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached. A total of 5 heat-related fatalities were reported by the Pima County Medical Examiner in Pima and Cochise counties.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1127693. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.