Heat — Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys, Arizona

2021-09-12 · Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys, Arizona

Event narrative

Hot temperatures 4 to 6 degrees above normal, in the upper 90s, were experienced in the lower elevations of Santa Cruz County causing the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached on September 12. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for one male found in the desert near Amado.

Wider weather episode

Very hot temperatures were experienced west and south of Tucson September 11 through 14. The hottest two days were the 12th and 13th when high temperatures fell just shy of records across much of Pima County and topped out between 104 and 109 degrees. During the four day period, the Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for seven individuals found in the desert, one at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, five on the Tohono O'odham Nation, and one in Santa Cruz County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 986811. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.