Thread: Phoenix hits 118 degrees, has hottest day so far of year

Phoenix hits 118 degrees, has hottest day so far of year

by Kristena Hansen -
July 2, 2011 05:14 PM
The Arizona Republic

At 118 degrees Saturday afternoon, Phoenix saw its hottest day of the year so far, trumping earlier forecasts and setting a new record from a decade ago, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were expected to reach 116 degrees, the record for the day set back in 2001, said Charlotte Dewey, a weather service meteorologist in Phoenix.

Saturday also marked the first day of monsoon activity.

Storm systems active in Gila County earlier in the day are settling over the Valley, but metro Phoenix isn't expected to see anything more than slightly lower temperatures and blowing dust in the evening, Dewey said.

"We haven't had any reports of rain yet," Dewey said shortly before 5 p.m. "It may be sprinkling, but no measurable rain."

That could change by the July Fourth holiday. Dewey said there is a chance for thunderstorms Monday evening. The high for Monday is expected to reach 107 degrees, with mostly sunny conditions until about 5 p.m. A 25 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms will last until about 11 p.m., Dewey said.

As for Sunday, the expected high is 109 degrees with a slight chance of evening thunderstorms.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoe ... torms.html

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