Excessive Heat — Central Deserts, Arizona

2013-06-12 · Central Deserts, Arizona

Event narrative

Very strong high pressure aloft was situated across Arizona on June 12th, and it led to excessive heat across the south central Arizona deserts, including the central deserts of northern Pinal county. According to the official COOP observation at Maricopa 4N, the high temperature reached to 113 degrees on June 12th, exceeding the excessive heat warning threshold for that day. An Excessive Heat Warning was in effect from 10 AM until 8 PM on June 12th.

Wider weather episode

Unseasonably strong high pressure aloft developed across the desert southwest on Wednesday, June 6th, and it led to very hot temperatures across the central Arizona deserts including the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. High temperatures in the hotter deserts reached to around 110 degrees and this led to the issuance of an Excessive Heat Warning for the afternoon and early evening hours. The extreme heat led to the death of a Spanish tourist who was attempting to hike Table Top mountain near Casa Grande.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 464102. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.