By Brent Ruffner
Mail | Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

Highs in the 90s are expected to linger around the Valley until late this week, according to a meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Phoenix.

Valley residents should expect highs of mid to upper 90s today and high temperatures in the low 90s by Thursday as a high pressure system moves across the metro Phoenix area, said Gabriel Lojero, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

High temps this week are above normal and inching toward a record of lower to middle 100-degree temps, Lojero said. Average temps for this time of year are about 86 or 87 degrees, he said.

“High pressure is constant in May and June,” Lojero said. “(High pressure systems) cause temperatures to rise.”

So far this year, Sky Harbor International Airport has seen very little rain. A little more than a half inch — 0.55 inches of rain — in 2022. That total is 2.2 inches below normal and it represents the eighth-driest period between Jan. 1 and April 18 since the National Weather Service in Phoenix began tracking data with 1972 was the driest, Lojero said.

However, other areas — such as Fountain Hills, Globe and Carefree — have seen more than 1 inch of rain in 2022.

Residents shouldn’t expect a steady dose of rainfall until monsoon season, which typically starts around June 15 and ends near Sept. 30.

Last year, monsoon season gave Valley residents a bounty of rain. But wet weather looks to be a few months ahead rather than right around the corner.
“It looks like we are going to stay mainly dry at this time,” Lojero said. Heat in Arizona in no joke. The first heat-associated death occurred on April 11 last year, according to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

The department conducts weekly heat-related mortality surveillance, which usually begins in May and ends in October, according to its website. For 2021, there were a total of 252 confirmed heat-related deaths, the website said.

Last year’s total was 55 more deaths than in 2020 when there was 197 confirmed heat-related deaths, the data stated. In 2020, the first heat-related death occurred on April 26.

Residents should work to stay hydrated by increasing their daily intake of fluids, limit outdoor activity to morning or evening hours and wear lightweight clothing, according to tips from the Maricopa Association of Governments.
Wear sunblock and rest in shade when possible when participating in outdoor activities.

By Friday, Valley residents should get a break as temps are expected to dip to the low 80s, Lojero said. On Saturday, the high is forecasted to be in the mid 80s.

But next week, the mercury is expected to sneak back up.

“Next week, (expect) hot temperatures,” Lojero said. “We are going to have another high pressure movement into the southwest.”

While it’s a popular thought that long-time residents adjust to the scorching summers, local residents really don’t acclimate to the heat as years go on, says Sonia Singh, spokeswoman with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

And while triple-digit temperatures that have grown closer to 120 degrees are seen as dangerous, Singh said some heat-related deaths don’t occur on the hottest days of the year.

“People should always take precautions,” she said.

Brent Ruffner
Lead News Reporter | Phoenix
@AzNewsmedia

BRuffner@iniusa.org

Meet Brent

Brent Ruffner joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2021 where he writes about developments at TSMC and Maricopa County issues, including election topics.

He's written about stories that range from accusations that a Mesa monkey breeding facility is unsafe to what to do if you encounter a rattlesnake in the desert.

Community:  He is a supporter of the American Cancer Society.

 Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, May 2007.

Random Fact: He met former San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays at a Phoenix Firebird game after winning a contest for an autographed baseball. 

Hobbies: Hiking in the woods and collecting sports memorabilia.