The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: March 26, 2025
Today: March 26, 2025

Barely into spring, Phoenix flirts with first triple-digit heat day of 2025

Arizona Weather
March 25, 2025
AP - AP

PHOENIX (AP) โ€” Phoenix flirted with its first 100-degree day of the year Tuesday, falling just short of the milestone.

Forecasters had signaled the temperature at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport could hit 100, marking what would have been the earliest date on record for the city to hit triple digits. The airport ended up one degree shy at 99 degrees (37.2 Celsius) Tuesday afternoon.

On average, Phoenix doesn't reach 100 until May 11, the National Weather Service said.

โ€œItโ€™s unseasonable, but itโ€™s not something people should be concerned about,โ€ said Alicia Ryan, a weather service meteorologist in Phoenix.

The heat was a blip in a week where temperatures are expected to dip Wednesday and Thursday under cloud cover, followed by another drop over the weekend, the weather service said.

Still, the uptick in heat Tuesday was enough to leave people dreading what the summer has in store.

Camille Ridley was sitting on a bench under a tree at the Arizona statehouse Tuesday, praising it for doing its job keeping her shaded while the temperature climbed.

โ€œIโ€™m a little sad about it just because we know that, you know, our hottest months are coming up,โ€ Ridley said. โ€œAnd after last yearโ€™s extended summer season, itโ€™s a little melancholy. But I do know this shall pass, as weโ€™ve got 80s coming in any day now.โ€

High school students Jose Mejia and Eric Galvan both had independent study days and decided to meet at a park in central Phoenix to go for a walk. Within 10 minutes they high-tailed it out of the heat.

Galvan knew it would be sweltering but did not expect it to be so intense.

โ€œA few days ago, it was like pretty normal temperatures,โ€ Galvan said. โ€œItโ€™s kind of crazy. If you remember last year, it was 80 degrees by this month. It keeps increasing.โ€

Last year was a scorcher. A heat wave that stretched into October set an annual record of 70 days with the highs reaching or passing 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius).

Maricopa County public health officials confirmed 602 heat-related deaths in 2024, with another eight being investigated for possible heat causes, according to a preliminary report. Officials say those numbers represent the first decrease in heat deaths since 2014 in a county with about 4.5 million residents.

Related Articles

Cyclone Chido leaves Mayotte reeling. Warmer oceans fueled it Cold air and snow set to hit part of US as travelers head home Biggest November snowstorm in half century hits Seoul and grounds flights Winter storms expected to hit East coast during Thanksgiving week
Share This

Popular

Environment|US

South Texas faces half a yearโ€™s worth of rain as rare severe storms threaten the Pacific Northwest

South Texas faces half a yearโ€™s worth of rain as rare severe storms threaten the Pacific Northwest
Business|Environment|Health|Political|US

$1.2 billion power plant faces environmental pushback

$1.2 billion power plant faces environmental pushback
Americas|Environment|US

More evacuations as wildfires burn in the Carolinas. Forecasts aren't encouraging for firefighters

More evacuations as wildfires burn in the Carolinas. Forecasts aren't encouraging for firefighters
Environment|Europe|Political|Science|World

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant could restart months after ceasefire, IAEA chief says

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant could restart months after ceasefire, IAEA chief says

Environment

Business|Economy|Environment|Europe|Travel

Cyprus to fund desalination plants at hotels to reduce impact of water shortages on tourism

Cyprus to fund desalination plants at hotels to reduce impact of water shortages on tourism
Environment|Europe|Health|Political

Raising a stink: Spaniards sue state over pig farm pollution

Raising a stink: Spaniards sue state over pig farm pollution
Business|Economy|Environment|Europe

Mild weather, dense snow in southern Norway limit risk of spring flooding

Mild weather, dense snow in southern Norway limit risk of spring flooding
Economy|Environment|Europe|Political|World

Ambitious climate action could boost global 2040 GDP by 0.2%, says OECD study

Ambitious climate action could boost global 2040 GDP by 0.2%, says OECD study