Heat — Southwest Maricopa County, Arizona

2013-06-16 to 2013-06-18 · Southwest Maricopa County, Arizona

Event narrative

Strong high pressure through the middle part of June led to above normal temperatures, but a few degrees shy of excessive heat criteria. High temperatures from June 16-18th were in the 105-109 range across the southern Arizona Deserts. Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies reported finding 4 male bodies on June 20th in the desert near mile post 133 along Interstate 8 outside of Gila Bend. They indicated the men had died at least three days before the bodies were found, so likely in the June 16-17 time frame. Officials believed the men were immigrants who had recently crossed the Mexico/U.S. border. Cause of death is currently not known, but heat was presumed to be at least partially to blame as there were no signs of foul play.

Wider weather episode

Strong high pressure under westerly upper flow continued across the desert southwest. This caused high temperatures to be a few degrees above normal or in the 105-109 range June 16-18th. These hot temperatures possibly led to or played a role in the deaths of 4 believed to be immigrants in the desert near Gila Bend, AZ.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 448793. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.