Arizona’s scorching heat has left Phoenix, its most populous city, with a record-breaking dry spell this summer. The National Weather Service announced on Sunday that the arid south-west has experienced the driest monsoon season on record, with a paltry 0.15 inches of rainfall between June 15th and September 30th. This marks the lowest total since the agency began keeping records in 1895, eclipsing the previous record of 0.35 inches set in 1924.
The monsoon season, which typically runs for about three months starting in June, brings welcome relief to the region in the form of cooling summer thunderstorms. However, this year’s season has been a dismal failure, with rainfall amounts scraping the bottom of the barrel. Phoenix’s average rainfall during this time is typically a more robust 2.43 inches, but this year’s total remains a staggering 0.15 inches below this benchmark.
The parched conditions aren’t limited to Phoenix, as Arizona as a whole receives less than 13 inches of average annual rainfall, making it the second driest state in the country behind Nevada. New Mexico, which averages about 14 inches per year, has also been affected by the persistent drought.
Phoenix’s record-breaking dry heat season shrugs off droughtThe heat has also been relentless, with Phoenix experiencing the hottest July and second-hottest August on record. The average daily temperature of 97 degrees Fahrenheit in June, July, and August eclipsed the previous record of 96.7 degrees set three years ago. July was particularly sweltering, with a record-breaking 31-day streak of highs at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This created a health hazard for residents, whose bodies struggled to cool down in the face of such prolonged and intense heat.
As a result, confirmed heat-associated deaths in Maricopa County have continued to rise, with 295 fatalities confirmed and 298 more under investigation. This marks a stark reminder of the devastating impact of heat waves on human health and the urgent need to address the root causes of these incidents.
The situation is likely to worsen in the coming years as climate change makes heat waves more frequent, intense, and prolonged. Scientists predict that the number of heat-associated deaths will only continue to climb, making it essential for public health officials to develop effective strategies to mitigate the effects of these deadly events.