The extreme heat wave that blasted the Southwest is abating with late arriving monsoon rains

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The punishing heat wave that intensely scorched the Southwest is subsiding, thanks to the belated arrival of monsoon rains.

Phoenix residents, who have endured high temperatures over 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) throughout July, are expected to experience more bearable temperatures by Monday. As of Friday, the city has been simmering at or above this threshold for 29 straight days.

Earlier this week, the overnight low at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport dipped below 90 (32.2 C) for the first time in 16 days, providing a much-needed break from the relentless heat once the sun sets.

A drop in temperatures is also anticipated in Las Vegas, Albuquerque, and Death Valley, California.

The cooling trend commenced Wednesday night when Phoenix experienced its first significant monsoon storm since the customary start of the monsoon season on June 15. Despite the lack of rainfall in more than half of the Phoenix area, eastern suburbs bore the brunt of high winds, dust storms, and isolated showers amounting to an inch (2.5 centimeters) of rain.

Increasingly intense storms are predicted throughout the weekend.

Scientists estimate that July will set a new record as the hottest month globally and potentially the warmest period ever recorded in human history. The searing heat is currently affecting the eastern U.S., with escalating temperatures moving from the Midwest into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, marking their warmest days this year.

The unprecedented heat records established this summer are among a series of extreme weather events witnessed across the U.S. this month, including flash floods in Pennsylvania and parts of the Northeast.

Although a respite is forecasted for the Southwest, temperatures remain perilously high. Phoenix recorded a high of 116 (46.7 C) on Friday afternoon, significantly above the average temperature of 106 (41.1 C).

The Goodyear fire department, a suburb of Phoenix, issued a heat warning on social media, cautioning residents and suggesting ways to remain safe. The heat presents a lethal threat to older adults, people with health conditions, and those without air conditioning.

The public health department of Maricopa County, Arizona’s most populous and home to Phoenix, reported 25 heat-related deaths this year as of July 21, with an additional 249 cases under review.

Toxicological tests conducted post-mortem could potentially confirm many of the deaths under investigation as heat-related, but these tests can take weeks or months. Last year, Maricopa County confirmed 425 heat-related deaths, with over half occurring in July.

Next week in Yuma, an agricultural desert community in Arizona, temperatures are forecasted to range from 104 to 112 (40 C to 44.4 C), while Tucson expects highs from 99 to 111 (37.2 C to 43.9 C).

Las Vegas will see temperatures dropping to as low as 94 (34.4 C) next Tuesday after a prolonged spell of highs above 110 (43.3 C). Similarly, Death Valley, which reached 128 (53.3 C) in mid-July, will also experience a drop in temperature, albeit to a still scorching 116 (46.7 C).

Meanwhile, in New Mexico, Albuquerque is forecasted to have high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s (around 35 C) next week, with partly cloudy skies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Heatwave Relief

More about Heatwave Relief

• Extreme Heatwaves and Their Effects
• Understanding Monsoon Rains
• Climate Change and Rising Temperatures
• Protecting Yourself in Extreme Heat
• Record-Breaking Temperatures: A Global Trend