Excessive Heat — Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

2009-07-05 to 2009-07-31 · Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

Event narrative

Prolonged heat throughout much of the month of July contributed to 10 heat-caused deaths, according to the Maricopa County medical examiner. July 2009 was not only the hottest July on record but the hottest month of all-time in Phoenix. Records for Phoenix began in 1896. There were 15 days in July where highs reached 110 or hotter at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport.

Wider weather episode

Strong high pressure aloft dominated the southwestern states for most of the month.

July 2009 was the hottest month on record in Phoenix...wth a mean monthly temperature of 98.3F, which was 3.5F hotter than normal. The period from July 10 to July 20 was the hottest in the Valley's climatological history, with an average maximum temperature of 112.7 degrees during those 10 days. Yuma was also very hot with a mean monthly temperature of 97.5F, or 3.8 degrees above normal.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 176268. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.