Phoenix breaks heat record: 54 days of 110-plus temperatures

Abigail Celaya, Arizona Republic
·1 min read
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A climber watches the sunrise from the summit of Piestewa Peak in Phoenix on July 16, 2023, on the 16th day in a row of temperatures 110 degrees or more.

Phoenix set a new heat record on Saturday, reaching 54 days of 110 degrees or higher in 2023. This breaks the 53-day record that was set in 2020.

The National Weather Service reported that Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport hit 111 degrees about 1:50 p.m. Saturday.

The latest Maricopa County heat report said 194 people have died in Maricopa County from the heat this year.

Heat-related illnesses are also on the rise this summer in Arizona as temperatures continue to swelter.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning that runs until 8 p.m. Sunday.

The new record set by Phoenix on Saturday joined a growing list of heat records the desert city already broke earlier this year:

  • Consecutive days of lows above 90.

  • Consecutive days under an excessive heat warning.

  • Consecutive days with highs above 110.

  • Multiple daily heat records.

Fatal impact: Laws don't protect outdoor workers from heat. Advocates say the consequences are deadly

Republic reporter Eshaan Sarup contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix just can't stop breaking heat records