Excessive Heat — New River Mesa, Arizona

2023-08-04 to 2023-08-07 · New River Mesa, Arizona

Wider weather episode

A strong ridge of high pressure over the Southern Plains expanded westward into the Desert Southwest, leading to excessive heat conditions across the region. Record high temperatures were set on the 5th (116 degrees) and the 6th (114 degrees) in Phoenix, while record warm low temperatures were set on the 2nd (93 degrees), 3rd (92 degrees), and 7th (91 degrees). According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, there were a total of 55 heat-associated fatalities during this heat event. One of the heat fatalities that occurred during this time include a 34-year-old woman who went hiking at Deem Hills Recreation Area during the morning of the 4th but was later found deceased in a remote area near a trail. Additionally, two heat-associated fatalities occurred in La Paz County during this time.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1218045. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.