Phoenix, notorious for its scorching summer sun, is gearing up to break a sweat with the possibility of setting a new heat record. The city matched the blazing benchmark set in 2020 with 53 days of temperatures hitting 110 degrees Fahrenheit or more, according to a report by 12news. If the mercury climbs to 110 degrees or higher as predicted next Saturday, Phoenix will mark an oppressive new record of heat endurance at 54 days.
This heat siege comes on the heels of an already intense summer for the desert city, having witnessed a sizzling streak of 31 days straight with highs meeting or topping 110 degrees in July—a record hot enough to trample the 18 consecutive day streak set in 1974. Officials warn that the dangerous heat wave is far from over, with an extreme heat warning in effect for the weekend and forecasts of 113 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday. Even Monday promises no respite, expecting to hover around 109 degrees Fahrenheit, tying the record for this date as shared by the National Weather Service on Twitter.
More than scalding street surfaces and sun-soaked sidewalks, these extreme temperatures pose a real health risk. Maricopa County is bracing for an all-time high in heat-associated fatalities, reporting 194 confirmed deaths related to the heat this year as of September 2, with an additional 351 cases still under investigation. This daunting number trails close behind the 425 heat-related deaths confirmed in 2022, as per 12news.
As the locals steel themselves for the broiling days ahead, a fresh Arizonian queried the internet for survival tips. The response was a torrent of fiery experiences and advice shared by seasoned desert dwellers. Highlights include never leaving any foreign objects in vehicles—sure to melt or even explode—and securing protection for both human hands and pet paws from blistering surfaces. These collective wisdoms and more are concisely summed up in the aggregation of online advice shared by 12news. Phoenix citizens, it seems, must gird themselves for a summer of internal hibernation, supplemented by a steady diet of hydration and cooler meals—succinct life hacks for residents in a city where the sun reigns with an unyielding grip.
