Heat — Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet, Arizona

2023-08-28 · Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet, Arizona

Event narrative

Hot temperatures 6 to 8 degrees above normal caused the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached on August 28 in southeast Cochise County, where temperatures topped out around 100 degrees. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined heat to be the primary cause of death for one individual found in the desert 15 to 20 miles northeast of Douglas.

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 1138859. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.