Excessive Heat — Western Pima County, Arizona

2018-07-23 to 2018-07-25 · Western Pima County, Arizona

Event narrative

Excessively hot temperatures of 105 to 113 degrees were observed below 5000 feet in southeast Arizona. High temperature records at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo and at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two adult males. One occurred just east of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the 24th. The second occurred on the Tohono O'odham Nation near the International Border. The exact time of death was not determinable, but very likely occurred on July 25th.

Wider weather episode

Very hot temperatures occurred in the valleys of southeast Arizona from July 23rd through July 25th. A number of record high temperatures were observed and several reports of heat-related illnesses were noted. Two heat-related deaths occurred--one just east of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and another on the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 774074. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.