Double-digit highs could soon be the norm for Phoenix
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The Valley likely isn't done with triple-digit highs, but an end may be in sight.
Why it matters: It's been too hot for too long, and we all deserve a break.
Zoom in: On average, Phoenix sees its last 100° day of the year on Oct. 5, per National Weather Service meteorologist Mark O'Malley.
- The earliest date NWS recorded our last triple-digit day was in 1904, when it hit on Sept. 2. Records go back to 1895.
- The latest was Oct. 27 in 2016.
- Phoenix had a good run after that, with 100° highs ending in September in four of the next five years, coming as early as Sept. 19 in 2019.
What we're watching: NWS forecasts high temperatures under 100° for most of the next few days, though the mercury is still expected to hit 101° on Saturday.
The big picture: Phoenix had its second-hottest summer on record this year, with an average temperature of 97°.
- Only 2024, with an average of 98.9°, was worse.
The bottom line: There's no way to accurately predict when the last 100° day will be — but things are getting better, and double-digit highs will hopefully be the norm moving forward.
- And if you truly can't bear the thought of another 100° day, O'Malley notes that the temperature in Celsius doesn't carry the same psychological significance — so just think of it as a 37.78°C day!