Cold/Wind Chill — Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys, Arizona

2023-01-23 to 2023-01-24 · Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys, Arizona

Event narrative

Cold low temperatures in the high single digits to teens, or 15 to 25 degrees below normal, occurred in Patagonia with the lowest temperature of 9 degrees recorded the morning of January 24. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that hypothermia was the primary cause of death for two individuals in Patagonia. One individual lived in a mobile home that did not have sufficient heating was found there on the floor January 23. They were transported to a hospital but died there that day. A second individual was found deceased outside their home on January 24.

Wider weather episode

A series of cold nights occurred across southeast Arizona in mid to late January with low temperatures 15 to 25 degrees below normal. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that hypothermia was the primary cause of death for two individuals in Patagonia.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1143589. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.