PHOENIX — It's official: Phoenix hit 100 degrees for the first time in 2024, according to the National Weather Service, and it comes about a week and a half earlier than normal.
Phoenix hit a high of 100 degrees at 3:17 p.m., according to 12News meteorologist Ginger Jeffries.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Sí, Phoenix alcanza los 100 grados por primera vez en el 2024
The National Weather Service in Phoenix said this 13 degrees above the normal high of 87 degrees for this date and is just three degrees below the record high of 103 degrees, which was recorded in 2012.
And while the heat is expected to stick around, relief will come toward the end of the week, as high temperatures are expected to dip into the low-to-mid 80s for a few days starting Thursday.
Facts about triple-digit heat in Phoenix
The triple-digit heat coming early this year comes on the heels of Phoenix hitting 100 degrees or hotter 133 times in 2023, which is 22 more days than the normal amount recorded between 1991 and 2020, according to the NWS.
The next milestone temperature to watch would be 110 degrees, which Phoenix normally hits for the first time around June 11. In 2023, the first 110-degree day was later (June 25), but the city did end up recording 55 days of 110+ degrees. That is more than ever before.
Now that the heat has arrived, expect it to stick around into the fall. In 2023, the last 100-degree day was October 27, which tied for the latest-ever final 100-degree day of the year with 2016. The average date for the last 100-degree day in Phoenix is October 5.
The earliest ever first 100-degree day in the city was March 26, 1988.
Staying safe in Arizona's heat
The City of Phoenix and Maricopa County are also working to help keep people safe after 2023 saw a record 645 heat-related deaths in the county.
In March, the Phoenix City Council approved funds that will allow the city to run an overnight cooling center at Burton Barr Library from May 1 to Sept. 30.
Earlier this month, Maricopa County announced that it will add heat relief services to the 211 social services hotline starting May 1.
"Anything related to heat, we're going to have staff at that 211 number from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.," said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine with the Maricopa County Health Department, said on April 11. "And they will meet the needs of anyone who needs heat relief."
And with the temperatures heating up, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illnesses to keep yourself and your family safe. You can read more about the symptoms and the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke by clicking here.
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