Excessive Heat — Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

2016-07-22 · Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona

Event narrative

Excessive heat developed across the south central deserts deserts, including the greater Phoenix area, on Friday July 22nd and the high temperature at Phoenix officially reached 112 degrees. An Excessive Heat Warning was in effect during the afternoon hours as a result of the dangerous heat. Unfortunately the heat turned deadly; a 12 year old boy died after hiking in North Phoenix during the afternoon hours. According to Fox 10 news, the 12 year old was hiking the Apache Wash trail with a family friend during the afternoon when he was overcome by the excessive heat. The man tried unsuccessfully to carry him down from the trail but had to leave him on the trail when he went for help. The man also tried to use his cell phone to call for help but the phone was not working. They both had 2 liters of water with them at the time of the incident. Phoenix fire crews were called to the scene at 5 pm and the boy was flown to Phoenix Children's Hospital where he later died. Captain Ardell Deliz with the fire department said that children can start experiencing heat-related illness sooner than an adult due to having a much higher metabolism. They don't sweat the same as an adult and cannot regulate their temperature as effectively as an adult.

Wider weather episode

Strong high pressure in the upper atmosphere developed across Arizona on the 22nd of July and it led to excessive heat across the lower deserts of south central Arizona. High temperatures well in excess of 110 degrees occurred in the greater Phoenix area and the dangerous heat led to the death of a 12 year old boy hiking on the Apache Wash trail in north Phoenix during the afternoon hours. An Excessive Heat Warning was in effect through 8 pm for all of the south central deserts, including the greater Phoenix area, on Friday the 22nd. Phoenix officially reached a high temperature of 112 degrees for the date.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 658343. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.