90 in February? Meteorologists say Phoenix in for hot week
90 in February? Meteorologists say Phoenix in for hot week
WARM SUNDAY AT PHOENIX PAPAGO PARK
Lindsey Gilford takes a picture of Nikolas Manders during their first time at Papago Park in Phoenix, Ariz., on Sunday, February 14, 2016.Patrick Breen/The Republic
Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, The Republic | azcentral.com6:27 p.m. MST February 14, 2016
The NWS is predicting Phoenix will hit 91 degrees Wednesday, which would shatter the record for earliest 90-degree day in the Valley
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(Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic)
It's just what you've been waiting for. Summer in February.
Meteorologists are predicting Phoenix will hit 91 degrees on Wednesday — the earliest 90-degree day ever to be recorded in the city.
The current record was set on February 24, 1986, said NWS meteorologist Hector Vasquez on Sunday.
Meteorologists began recording Arizona's highs and lows in 1895, and the historical average for the first day of sweltering heat is April 3, Vasquez said. Over the past 30 years, the average has moved to March 30. Last year, Phoenix hit the milestone on March 16.
However, Wednesday won't be the only record-breaking day of hot weather this week.
Monday's expected high of 87 would break the record high of 86 set in 1914; and Tuesday's expected high of 89 would break the 2014 record by 5 degrees.
Despite the heat, the week's average low temperature will stay in the mid to upper 50s, according to Vasquez. No rain is in sight, as mostly sunny skies are expected.
What's bringing this heat to the Valley?
Vasquez points to a high-pressure system most commonly seen in the summer.
"Imagine a cup of coffee," he said.
"When you put a spoon in the middle of the coffee and stir it, the coffee becomes thicker on the edges and rises up," Vasquez said, "this is much like the atmosphere becoming thicker from a high-pressure system."
The thicker air traps the heat.
The early onset of hotter weather affects plants as well. Residents with fruit or other large trees in their yard should start their summer watering routine early, said Dan Vallen, 61, owner of Tropical Plant Nursery in Phoenix.
"Make sure to water them real well and deep," Vallen said, adding that Valley residents should "paint your tree trunks white with a water based paint for sunscreen protection to help keep them from burning up."
Vallen has been growing tropical fruits in the Valley for 25 years and suggests a little extra water and soil supplements such as vitamin B1 or manure to help your shrubs survive.
A cold front will begin to move into Phoenix on Thursday, bringing slightly cooler air and some wind. Temperatures are expected to drop back to the low to mid 80s Thursday and continue into the weekend, Vasquez said.
"It's been an unusual year," he said. "The pattern hasn't really changed much since November."
El Niño is expected to bring in some storms, but they will most likely be isolated to northern Arizona, Utah and Nevada, he said.
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