High temperatures in Maricopa will remain dangerously high — and maybe even deadly — longer than expected.

The National Weather Service today extended its excessive heat warning in Pinal and Maricopa Counties through Friday night. It’s the fourth time this week the warning has been prolonged.

NWS issues this warning when they expect the heat index — an indicator of how hot the temperature feels — to top 115 degrees for any length of time.

In Maricopa, this means afternoon temperatures will range between 112 and 117 degrees over the next few days. Residents can expect an extra hot Tuesday when the afternoon temperature may top out at 117 degrees.

NWS meteorologist Chris Kuhlman said this excessive heat warning marks the longest on record.

“We’re going now on more than three weeks of well-above normal temperatures,” Kuhlman said. “A warning like this has never lasted for this extent of time.”

This also makes July the hottest month ever recorded in Pinal County, according to Kuhlman.

“Even though the month is not over, this will be the hottest month on record,” Kuhlman said.

The area has averaged nearly 103 degrees this month, which accounts for both high and low temperatures.

According to NWS, the second hottest month took place in August 2020. The recorded average temperature was just 99 degrees.

Prospects of rain remain low throughout the week. The chance of rain will stay below 30%, with most monsoon activity limited to strong, gusty winds and dust.

However, Kuhlman said residents should remain hopeful.

“There may be scattered showers around the county, but it looks like monsoon storms will ramp up by Saturday,” he said. “There’s a 30 to 50% chance for rain then.”

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