Excessive Heat — Southeast Pinal County, Arizona

2020-09-04 to 2020-09-07 · Southeast Pinal County, Arizona

Event narrative

Very hot temperatures 10 to 13 degrees above normal occurred in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona, causing the High Heat Risk category to be reached September 4 through September 7. Record high temperatures were tied or set at most locations on multiple days during the period. The hottest record temperatures during this stretch were 115 degrees at Ajo on September 6; 114 at Ajo on the 4th and 5th, and at Picacho on the 5th; 113 at Picacho on the 6th; and 112 at Picacho and Sells on the 4th; 110 at Tucson International Airport on the 4th; 109 at Green Valley on the 4th and 5th; and 107 at Fort Thomas on the 5th, and at Safford Airport on the 7th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two individuals on the Tohono O'odham Nation--a female east of Sells on the 4th and a male north of Hickiwan on the 6th.

Wider weather episode

Very hot temperatures were experienced in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona from September 4th-7th. Many locations approached or exceeded 110 degrees and set new daily record high temperatures. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for five individuals found in the desert in Pima and Cochise counties during the period.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 919380. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.