NBC NEWS
Heat kills more people every year than other weather hazards. Heat waves can be more threatening the longer they linger, because stress accumulates over time when people can’t find adequate respite.
This week could be particularly dangerous for communities like Phoenix, which could experience its hottest-ever seven-day stretch, according to the National Weather Service. The city, along with its surrounding suburbs in Maricopa County, Arizona, recorded 425 deaths associated with heat last year.
Sunday marked the 17th day in a row that Phoenix high temperatures hit or exceeded 110.
“We’re currently on pace to break the all-time consecutive streak of 110-degree days. Currently that record is 18 days,” said Gabriel Lojero, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Phoenix. “We’re forecasting temperatures to be near or above 115 this week, so it’s likely we’re going to break that record.”
Lojero said he worried about people who are unsheltered or don’t have easy access to air conditioning.
“There’s no relief. It’s a cumulative issue,” he said. “Your body is not able to recuperate.”
Lojero said nothing in the forecast suggested Phoenix would get a break from the heat any time soon. High temperatures were expected to continue through next weekend, and there were no signs of thunderstorms, which are typical of the summer monsoon season in the desert Southwest.
“In the monsoon season, usually we get thunderstorm activity. You get more cloud cover and rain. That helps mitigate those extreme temperatures,” Lojero said. “Unfortunately, at least through this upcoming week, we are not seeing that.”
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