Excessive heat warning extended

Even a dust storm yesterday evening fell short of stifling Pinal County’s heat wave.

Maricopa residents will keep sizzling this week as the National Weather Service extended its excessive heat warning through most of the state, including Pinal and Maricopa counties. The warning will run through 8 p.m. Friday.

In Maricopa, afternoon temperatures may reach 117 degrees. For comparison, Maricopa saw afternoon highs that ranged from 107 to 112 degrees this week last year, according to Weather Underground.

Unusually high pressure across the region is keeping temperatures extra toasty and storms at bay, according to NWS Phoenix lead meteorologist Sean Benedict.

“High pressure allows the temperature to warm up a lot more than usual,” he said. “High pressure is associated with heat, low pressure is associated with storms.”

This culminated in a record heatwave throughout the sprawling metro area.

“The heatwave has been breaking records across the region,” Benedict said. “Just today, Phoenix broke the record for the number of consecutive days of excessive heat.”

The previous record lasted 18 days in 1974, according to the NWS.

With the blazing heat, officials advise staying hydrated and indoors when possible. Residents should also check on elderly neighbors, family and friends.