Excessive Heat in South Central Pinal County, Arizona

Very hot high temperatures of 104 to 114 degrees, or 5 to 11 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower elevations of Pima, southeast Pinal, and northwest sections of Cochise and Graham counties August 25-27 and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. The highest temperatures at select locations during the period were 114 degrees (tied record on 8/27) at Ajo, 112 (both records on 8/26 and 8/27) at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, 111 (record on 8/26) at Sells, 108 (one degree shy of the record on 8/27) at Picacho, 106 on 8/26 at Tucson International Airport, 105 on 8/25 and 8/26 at San Carlos and 103 on 8/25 at Cascabel.

Very hot temperatures were experienced in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona August 25 through 27, with high temperatures equaling or exceeding established records in a few locations, and approaching record levels in most others. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for one male found in the desert.