Excessive Heat — Western Pima County, Arizona

2018-07-05 to 2018-07-07 · Western Pima County, Arizona

Event narrative

High temperatures from July 5th through July 7th were between 105 and 113 from Tucson westward across Pima County and in southwest Pinal County, which were significantly above normal. Respective high temperatures include: Tucson International Airport 111 (record), 105 and 107 degrees; Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument 113, 113 (record) and 109 degrees; Sells 113 (record), 107 and 106 degrees; and Picacho 111, 109, 110 degrees. Green Valley also set a record high temperature of 108 degrees on July 7th. A hiker suffering from heat exhaustion at Sabino Canyon was rescued and taken to a hospital for treatment on July 8th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two adult males, one on the grounds of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the 5th and another on the Tohono O'odham Nation south of Sells near the International Border on the 7th.

Wider weather episode

Very hot temperatures occurred in Tucson and the deserts west of Tucson on July 5th through the 7th. Several record high temperatures occurred. Two heat-related deaths occurred--one at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and another on the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 774083. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.