Excessive Heat — South Central Pinal County, Arizona

2021-08-25 to 2021-08-27 · South Central Pinal County, Arizona

Event narrative

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.

Wider weather episode

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.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 983918. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.