Excessive Heat — Tohono O Odham Nation, Arizona

2021-09-12 to 2021-09-13 · Tohono O Odham Nation, Arizona

Event narrative

Very hot high temperatures of 105 to 109 degrees, or 5 to 10 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower deserts of western Pima County and the Tohono O'odham Nation September 12-13, and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. While temperatures fell just shy of records, the Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for three persons found in the desert on the Tohono O'odham Nation, one female north of San Simon on the 12th, another female southwest of Vamori and one male west of Cowlic on the 13th.

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 986813. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.