Historic heatwave stifles US city as it reaches sizzling 43C for 55 days in row

11 September 2023 , 12:42

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Temperatures sizzle as planes taxi at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix (Image: AP)

Phoenix’s blistering heatwave has broken new records reaching a sweltering 110F (43.3C) for 55 consecutive days on Sunday - but the end may finally be in sight.

Residents of Arizona’s largest city are set to experience some relief today, as The National Weather Forecast predicts a three-degree drop in temperatures to 107F (41.7C) and a further drop on Tuesday when temperatures are expected to reach highs of 102F (38.8C).

The excessive heat warning residents to stay inside between the hours of 10 am to 6 pm all weekend for everyone across south-central and south-west Arizona expired at 8pm on Sunday, but Chris Kuhlman of the National Weather Service in Phoenix was wary of making any promises:

"I hate to say, `Yes, this will be the last,' but it's more than likely that will be the case - this will be our last stretch of 110s this summer," he said.

A billboard displays a temperature of 118F (48C) during the record heatwave (AFP via Getty Images)

The National Weather Service also said there was a 25% chance of a passing shower or storm on Tuesday and there was only around a month to go until the average last 100-degree day.

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This summer has seen the city eclipse its previous 2020 record of 53 days at 110F and above.

Saturday’s sweltering highs of 114 also broke records, being the latest date in the calendar year that the official reading at Phoenix Sky Harbour Airport had ever recorded such hot temperatures.

A person tries to cool off in the shade (AP)

This year, Phoenix has experienced the hottest three months since record-keeping began in 1895 reaching a daily average temperature of 97F (36.1C) across June, July and August, surpassing the previous record of 96.7F (35.9C) set three years ago.

In July, Phoenix also set a record with a 31-day streak of highs at or above 110 F (43.3 C)- the previous previous record of 18 straight days was set in 1974.

Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, is headed towards an annual record for heat-related deaths, with health officials having 194 confirmed casualties already as of 2nd September, and an additional 351 cases under investigation. Last year, 425 heat-associated deaths were recorded.

Water drips from a person as they cover their head for protection from the sun (AFP via Getty Images)

2023 has seen a historic heat wave stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and into California’s desert.

According to the World Meteorological Organisation, this August was the hottest August worldwide since records began. It was also the second-hottest month ever measured, behind only July 2023.

Scientists blame the combination of human-caused climate change and a natural El Nino, a temporary warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean that changes weather around the world, for the record-breaking weather.

Connie Bowker