After a record-shattering March, April has been off to a much hotter-than-normal start in Phoenix.
According to National Weather Service data, temperatures have averaged about 8.3 degrees above-normal so far this month — the third-hottest start to April on record in Phoenix.
And National Weather Service meteorologist Mark O’Malley said the months ahead could bring more above-normal heat to the Valley.
“Currently, the odds are tilted slightly toward the spring and the summer ending up warmer-than-average,” O’Malley said.
O’Malley says temperatures in the Valley should drop a bit early next week.
“By Sunday, temperatures will only be in the lower to middle 80s for highs,” O’Malley said. “And then early next week, Monday and Tuesday, should be delightful around the Phoenix area, with highs only in the upper 70s to low 80s.”
But O’Malley doesn’t expect the cooldown will last long. He expects the mid- to upper 80s will be back by the end of next week.
-
Valley residents will feel a brief cooldown this week. The National Weather Service predicts high temperatures in the high 80s to lower 90s in the early weekdays. But it's temporary solace as the summer season approaches. -
The risk of human-caused wildfire is high due to hot and dry conditions. Certain activities are now restricted within state trust lands in Gila, Maricopa and Pinal counties, as well as the Tonto National Forest. -
Amid megadrought, extreme heat and facing even more cutbacks to water supply, modern farming and agriculture have had to make major adjustments. -
Arizona Public Service’s parent company reported first-quarter sales growth that was well above average for the utility. The heat wave in March and February was a driving factor, but so was industry growth. -
Federal agents are investigating the deaths of six people thought to be immigrants found inside a shipping container at a Union Pacific rail yard near the border with Mexico in Laredo, Texas, on Sunday as a "potential human smuggling event."
