So far this year, at least six people have succumbed to heat-related causes in the scorching metro Phoenix area, where temperatures soared to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius) this week, as reported by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. Additionally, public health officials disclosed that another 87 deaths are currently under investigation for possible heat-related causes as of last Saturday, according to their most recent weekly update on the county’s online heat surveillance information.
Phoenix experienced temperatures of 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius) on both Thursday and Friday, marking these as the hottest days of 2024 so far. The metropolitan area remained under an excessive heat warning, enduring extreme temperatures due to a high-pressure system. However, there was some hope for relief over the weekend with the possibility of slight cooling and some moisture.
On Friday, a heatwave affected most of the United States, with many areas potentially experiencing record-breaking temperatures. Meteorologist Ryan Worley of the National Weather Service mentioned, “We might see a little rain over the next few days because there is a 30% chance for Phoenix. There could be a slight cool down to around 110 degrees, but temperatures should go back up next week.”
Maricopa County, located in the Sonoran Desert, reported a staggering 645 heat-related deaths last year, an increase of about 50% compared to the 425 confirmed deaths in 2022. The extreme heat conditions led Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to declare a state of emergency in 2023 after metro Phoenix endured a 31-day streak of temperatures reaching at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius).
Maricopa County, recognized as the hottest large metropolitan area in the U.S., is among the few jurisdictions that regularly provide updated and easily accessible data on heat-related deaths. This year, the Office of the Medical Examiner in Pima County, which includes Arizona’s second most populous city, Tucson, introduced a dashboard to track heat deaths. To date, Pima County has recorded at least five heat-related deaths, with an additional three deaths in rural counties that contract with Pima for forensic services.
Last year, Pima County reported 176 heat-related deaths, with another 51 such deaths occurring in the five rural counties under its medical examiner’s jurisdiction.
