Excessive Heat — Central Deserts, Arizona

2016-06-18 · Central Deserts, Arizona

Event narrative

Very strong high pressure aloft developed across Arizona during the middle of June 2016, beginning on Saturday June 18th and persisting into early next week. In combination with dry air and sunny skies, the strong high pressure led to the development of dangerous heat across the lower central deserts. The high temperature for the day was 111 at Phoenix and although an Excessive Heat Warning was not yet in effect, heat impact level data suggested that borderline warning conditions had already developed across the greater Phoenix area and northern Pinal county. According to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, a 25 year old man died while hiking on the Peralta Trail in Gold Canyon during the afternoon hours on June 18th. The victim died as a result of exposure to extreme heat; search and rescue teams were called out to the trail just after 1330MST. According to the Sheriff's Office, a friend told deputies that the victim started hiking at 0730MST for what was to be a day hike; unfortunately he ran out of water after just a few hours. Shortly thereafter he exhibited signs of heat illness and the friend called 911 for help. The man's condition continued to get worse, he lost consciousness and never recovered. This was just one of three heat-related emergency calls within a four hour period on Saturday in the Superstition wilderness. The other two victims ended up with just minor heat-related injuries.

Wider weather episode

Very strong high pressure developed in the upper atmosphere across the desert southwest during the middle of June, beginning on Saturday, June 18th and continuing into the middle of the following week. The very warm temperatures aloft, combined with dry air and sunny skies allowed high temperatures to climb to dangerous levels across the lower deserts each day. Desert high temperatures on Saturday reached or exceeded 110 degrees in many locations and by Sunday, many hotter deserts ranged between 115 and 120 degrees. An Excessive Heat Warning was issued for all of the lower Arizona deserts, starting 1000MST Sunday and continuing through the middle of the following week. The dangerous heat led to the deaths of multiple people, including a mountain biker in the greater Phoenix area during the morning hours on Sunday, June 19th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 630396. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.