Phoenix has been above 100 degrees for more than 100 days. When will weather cool down?
Phoenix is in the midst of a scorching stretch with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees for 106 straight days as of Tuesday, and meteorologists say there is likely no relief in sight from the triple-digit heat.
The summer of 2024 was officially Phoenix's hottest on record with an average temperature of 99 degrees, outpacing the previous record of 97 degrees set the prior year. But although the meteorological summer ended on Saturday, the triple-digit temperatures were expected to linger.
Last Thursday, Phoenix broke another record for the most days above 110 degrees in a year. The record climbed to 61 days on Tuesday. The previous record was 55 days, set in 2023.
Wednesday could bring a brief respite with a forecast high of 109 degrees, but another record-breaking streak of consecutive days over 100 degrees was expected to march on. As of Tuesday, Phoenix had not dropped below 100 degrees since May 26, with no foreseeable break in sight. The previous record was set in 1993 with 76 days.
Yet, this weekend might bring a chance for temperatures to cool off. Here's what you can expect for the rest of the week in Arizona, and when temperatures could dip below triple digits in Phoenix.
When will temperatures drop below 100 degrees in Phoenix?
The soonest chance Phoenix could go below the triple-digit mark could be this Sunday, said meteorologist Mark O'Malley with the weather service in Phoenix.
However, the current forecast indicates Sunday would reach a high temperature of 100 degrees. "If it drops below that, we will break the 100-degree streak," O'Malley said. "But if it doesn't drop below that, we don't know when we will get the next chance."
More: Arizona will get a lot hotter in the next 20 years. Here's what your county could see
What weather to expect in Phoenix this week
Temperatures were expected to remain well above normal through the middle of the week, with high temperatures expected to reach between 105 and 110 degrees in the next few days.
Then on Thursday, temperatures were expected to begin to cool down through Monday of next week, with highs forecast to be in the lower 100s.
The Valley was expected to remain mostly dry with little chance of rain during the weekend.
"If you have to work outside or have to do any outdoor activities, drink water and take breaks from the heat," O'Malley advised.
Meteorologist Gabriel Lojero also advised residents to remain aware of the dangers of heat hazards and take measures to stay safe.
"It doesn't matter if you're acclimated, you should still take precautions," Lojero said. "The heat still has an effect on your body. ... You should stay hydrated and avoid being outside during the hottest hours of the day."
Warmest summer on record, again: what is next for Phoenix?
Phoenix first broke the hottest summer record in 2020 with an average summer temperature of 96.7 degrees. The previous record had been set in 2013 with a 95-degree average. Then the record was beaten again in 2023 with an average of nearly 97 degrees, and then again this year with an average of 99.
Lojero said it is safe to say that summers in the Valley have become increasingly hot in the past 20 years, and according to a USA TODAY analysis of climate projection data, Maricopa and other Arizona counties are expected to see a significant increase in temperatures, potentially exposing residents to more harmful effects of warming.
According to the analysis, which used county-level temperature projections from the Climate Impact Lab to assess how annual warming and extreme heat are expected to change from 2020 to 2040, Arizona's average annual temperatures could increase three degrees in the next 20 years.
The state will also see a 20% increase in days above 95 degrees and a two-degree increase in average summer temperatures.
“We’re already experiencing an increase in warming and extreme heat across the country,” said Kelly McCusker, a climate scientist at the Climate Impact Lab. “I think a lot about how that will worsen … and how that heat affects people unequally.”
Yavapai, Gila, Pima, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and Cochise were among U.S. counties expected to see the most additional days above 90 degrees by 2040.
When air temperature exceeds 90 degrees, the human body gains more heat than it can release. Sweating can allow the body to cool further. But, in hot and humid climates, sweat may not evaporate fast enough, which can cause the body’s internal temperature to rise dangerously.
Children and older adults are most at risk of developing heat-related health complications, especially when they have preexisting conditions.
Adding more green spaces to urban areas, installing more air conditioning and constructing cooling centers can help people avoid the worst effects of heat, but not all communities have the funding to implement these solutions.
McCusker said although people may be able to adjust to a rapidly warming country, an effective strategy to reduce the worst impacts of warming is to reduce emissions.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When will Phoenix drop below 100 degrees? Here's what experts say