Excessive Heat — Tohono O Odham Nation, Arizona

2023-08-26 to 2023-08-29 · Tohono O Odham Nation, Arizona

Event narrative

Very hot temperatures of 7 to 13 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across western Pima County and the Tohono O'odham Nation August 26-29. Record highs at Ajo were 114, 115, 118 and 116 degrees, respectively. Record highs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument included 114 degrees on August 28 and 113 on the 29th. Record highs at Sells included 108 degrees on August 26 and 27, and 109 on the 28th. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for two individuals found in the desert on the 26th in the Sells and Topawa areas.

Wider weather episode

High pressure aloft strengthened over Arizona and created a period of very hot temperatures August 25-30 across southeast Arizona. High temperatures were 6 to 14 degrees above normal causing the Moderate to Major Heat Risk categories to be reached and numerous high temperature records to be established. A total of eleven heat-related fatalities were reported by the Pima County Medical Examiner.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1138828. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.