A sweltering heat wave is about to engulf the Southwest, with Phoenix poised to endure its most scorching March temperatures on record.
“We’re going to shatter records,” emphasized Sean Benedict, the lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
Phoenix has only previously hit 100 degrees in March once, which occurred on March 26, 1988.
This Wednesday, temperatures are predicted to soar to 102 degrees, with the mercury potentially climbing as high as 105 or 106 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
“So we’re not just touching 100, but pushing well past it,” Benedict explained.
Typically, Phoenix doesn’t reach the 100-degree mark until around May 2. This week is anticipated to be the earliest occurrence of triple-digit temperatures in the Valley’s history.
The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for southern Arizona from Thursday morning through Sunday evening — marking the first instance of such a warning in March.
Benedict advises residents to exercise caution.
“For March, it’s highly unusual and we’re not quite acclimated yet,” Benedict remarked. “This is the time of year when people are really getting outdoors, there’s a lot of outdoor activities and events going on. We have spring training going on, there’s still probably a lot of people from out of town here that are not used to this type of heat.”
A robust high-pressure system is responsible for the extraordinary heat sweeping across much of the Western U.S., according to Benedict.
The climate research group, Climate Central, places this week’s temperature forecasts at the top of their Climate Shift Index scale, signifying these conditions are at least five times more likely due to human-induced carbon emissions.
Benedict anticipates a slight dip in temperatures next week, though highs will still hover in the 90s.
“Unfortunately, it looks like the well above-normal temperatures will continue potentially through the end of the month.”
Metro Phoenix Forecast from NWS
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 66. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 101. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 104. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 108. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 70. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 106. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 70. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
