Phoenix Is In Its Second Hottest Year On Record

Summer has been absolutely ruthless in Arizona, and it seems like the 100 degree days are endless.

Phoenix has now had 130 100 degree days making this year the second hottest on record, according to the National Weather Service. The record of 143 days was originally set in 1989.

"We've broken a lot of records this year, so I wouldn't be surprised if we get close or maybe even break the record," Issac Smith with the NWS told AZCentral. With 95 days left in 2020, it's possible.

It has been a record breaking weather year for Phoenix. It already had the hottest summer ever with an average temperature of 96 degrees. The city also broke its records for the warmest August and July. It's been so hot this summer that the state's iconic saguaros are falling over and dying.

So what's causing the temperature to keep rising? Phoenix is in a perfect storm of an unfriendly weather pattern, urban growth, and climate change.

Phoenix's monsoon season has been underwhelming because a high pressure weather pattern is preventing humid air and clouds from forming. Less moisture in the air means less rain to cool the desert.

The city's growth is also causing the urban heat island effect. Concrete, buildings, and asphalt holds on to heat during the day and slowly releases it at night, according to the NWS.

"That’s very well established with the accumulation of man-made materials, these artificial, heat-retaining materials that make nighttime temperatures for sure significantly warmer than they would be compared to natural desert or agricultural land," meteorologist Austin Jamison said.

While fall started last week, Phoenix can expect a few more 100-degree days. The Weather Channel predict that the highs will begin to dip into the 90s starting in early October.

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