Excessive Heat — Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains, Arizona

2017-06-19 to 2017-06-23 · Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains, Arizona

Event narrative

An extended period of excessive heat occurred across nearly all of southeast Arizona. Elevations between 5000 and 7000 feet recorded temperatures between 100 and 105 degrees including 103 degrees at Carr RAWS and 100 at Hopkins RAWS.

Wider weather episode

An unusually strong area of high pressure over the desert southwest produced a heat wave that lasted a week with high temperatures approaching all time records. High temperatures above 110 degrees were common in the lower deserts and even elevations near 7000 feet reached 100 degrees. Numerous temperature records were broken across the area. While no heat-related deaths occurred, there were numerous instances of heat-related illnesses in the Tucson Metro area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 709506. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.