A new heat record was set Sunday in metro Phoenix at 115 degrees.
The Arizona Department of Health Services has extended its extreme heat warning for Maricopa County through Wednesday
Chris Kuhlman with the National Weather Service in Phoenix says heat will continue.
"Technically it will be cooling down slightly. We’re looking at just under 110 degrees by Wednesday. However it probably won’t feel any cooler because our humidity will be going up. In essence, it will feel just as hot," Kuhlman said.
Extreme heat warnings were in effect for multiple other Arizona counties this week, including Coconino, La Paz, Pinal and Yuma.
Another warning, for Mojave County, is in effect through Wednesday. The warnings come on the heels of a new heat record of 115 degrees in Phoenix over the weekend.
Gabriel Lojero with the NWS says even after the highest temperatures back off, it may still take longer to feel cooler.
Lojero says there’s a better chance of rain later this week.
“There’s probably better chances — probably 20-30% chance — as we head toward the second half of the week — conditions do appear more favorable for lower desert storms,” he said.
Heat warnings are also in effect until tonight for Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Santa Cruz and Yavapai counties. The Arizona Department of Health Services says daytime temperatures could reach 120 degrees in some parts of the state and advises limiting outdoor activity to morning and evening hours, when it’s cooler.
Metro Phoenix forecast from NWS
Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 111. Heat index values as high as 114. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Nigh: Mostly clear, with a low around 89. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 109. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 88. West southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 109. West southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 88. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 110. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 89. West southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 110. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 88. South southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 107. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
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The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for the Phoenix area Monday through Wednesday. -
Schools across Arizona are starting back up for the year. Some start this week, while others have already been in class for a few days already. And despite the relative cooldown to start this week, it’s still plenty hot out. -
In the future, Phoenix will not only see more intense high temperatures, but longer heat seasons, climate projections show. -
On the hottest days, thinner air can make it harder for aircraft to get off the ground safely. Airlines may have to lighten the load by removing passengers or cargo, or carrying less fuel. -
Americans are increasingly feeling a personal impact from extreme heat, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
