Phoenix, Arizona, has set a record for U.S. cities after experiencing a staggering 19 straight days of extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius) or more. The intense heatwave has turned the usually bustling city into an eerie ghost town as residents seek refuge in air-conditioned environments.
The record streak was particularly notable amidst sweltering temperatures seen across the globe, with Phoenix recording a sweltering 117 degrees (47.2 Celsius) by 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Scientists attribute this global rise in temperatures to human-caused climate change and a newly-formed El Nino.
The continuous heat’s deadly aspect in Phoenix is not just confined to the searing daytime highs. The lack of a nighttime cooldown can be lethal, as people without access to air conditioning are deprived of the vital break their bodies need to function optimally.
Tuesday’s low temperature was a stifling 94 degrees, making it nine consecutive days of night temperatures not dropping below 90, another record-breaker according to National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Salerno.
Aside from Phoenix, other less populous locations, like Death Valley and Needles, California, and Casa Grande, Arizona, have seen longer hot streaks, but none involve such densely populated areas.
These extreme temperatures are a health concern. “This will likely be one of the most notable periods in our health record in terms of deaths and illness,” warns David Hondula, Phoenix’s chief heat officer.
This prolonged heatwave serves as a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change and the urgent need for adaptive strategies to manage such extreme weather conditions, particularly in densely populated regions.