The Desert Southwest is being put on notice for one of its most serious heat events of the year, with Extreme Heat Watches in effect for the Phoenix metropolitan area, Tucson, Yuma, the Imperial Valley of California and surrounding desert communities — forecasting temperatures that could reach 110 to 115°F by Wednesday and Thursday.
Phoenix Metro: 110 to 114°F Wednesday Through Thursday
The National Weather Service in Phoenix issued an Extreme Heat Watch for the Phoenix metropolitan area from Wednesday morning through Thursday evening — covering Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear and Queen Creek.
Afternoon temperatures of 110 to 114°F are possible, with a “Major Heat Risk” designation.
An Extreme Heat Watch is a tier above the standard Heat Advisory and is issued when extreme heat is expected but not yet certain.
“Actions should be taken to lessen the impact of the extreme heat,” the Phoenix NWS office stated — residents have roughly 48 hours to prepare cooling plans before Wednesday’s peak.
In Maricopa County, call 2-1-1 to find a free cooling center, transportation, water and more.
Imperial Valley: Up to 115°F
The single most extreme temperature in the watch package belongs to California’s Imperial Valley — El Centro, Brawley, Calexico and surrounding communities — where temperatures of 109 to 115°F are forecast from Wednesday through Thursday evening. The Imperial Valley, sitting below sea level, regularly records the highest temperatures in the United States during summer.
Tucson, San Carlos and Surrounding Desert
The NWS Tucson office issued a separate Extreme Heat Watch for the Tucson metro, southeast Pinal County, the upper Gila River Valley and the upper San Pedro River Valley — including Oracle, Benson, Sierra Vista, Safford and Clifton — with temperatures of 107 to 111°F from Tuesday through Wednesday. The San Carlos tribal area faces 105 to 110°F. Parker Valley, Yuma and surrounding communities face the same Wednesday-Thursday window with 108 to 114°F.
What to Do Now
A Watch means prepare today. Identify and pre-cool air-conditioned spaces, check on elderly neighbors now, stock water and electrolytes, and plan outdoor work around early morning hours on Wednesday and Thursday. Heat stroke — hot, red, dry or damp skin; rapid pulse; confusion — is a 911 emergency. Track the latest at weather.gov/psr and weather.gov/twc as watches may upgrade to Extreme Heat Warnings as Wednesday approaches.
