Excessive Heat — Central Phoenix, Arizona

2023-08-26 to 2023-08-30 · Central Phoenix, Arizona

Event narrative

Twenty heat-associated fatalities (10 direct and 10 indirect) were reported by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, with their details, such as age, gender, circumstances, and exact location unavailable.

Wider weather episode

A strong upper level ridge of high pressure over the Great Plains retrograded westward to the western United States, leading to excessive heat conditions across the region. High temperatures observed at Phoenix Sky Harbor for the end of the month reached between 109-117 degrees with record highs in Phoenix set on the 27-29th. According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, there were 35 heat-associated fatalities that occurred during this time.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1214447. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.