Excessive Heat Warning in effect for 11 Arizona counties

Noon Weather - 9/7/20

An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect for the Valley through 8 p.m. and we'll see a high near 108°

PHOENIX - Desert cities in Arizona and Nevada are under excessive heat warnings through the Labor Day weekend due to high temperatures forecast to reach up to 115 degrees in some areas.

The Excessive Heat Warning affects parts of Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai and Yuma counties.

The warnings issued by the National Weather Service for Phoenix, Las Vegas and other cities take effect at 10 a.m. on Sept. 4 until 8 P.M. on Monday, Sept. 7.

Phoenix broke the daily heat record for Sept. 5 with a high of 114°F, breaking the old record of 113°F, which was set back in 1945.

On September 4, Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix reached 114°F during a portion of the afternoon, which breaks the old record of 112°F that was set back in 1945 and tied in 2019.

Forecasters advised limiting outdoor activity and to drink plenty of water and check on friends, neighbors and the sick or elderly.

The weather service said some locations in southern Arizona may tie or break their all-time September highs Sept. 4 or 5.

Forecasters in Las Vegas said highs there will approach or exceed records through Monday, Sept. 7.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Preventing heat exhaustion/heat stroke

The Arizona Department of Health Services stated the following precautions can be taken to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke:

Stay in air-conditioned buildings
Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day (mid-day)
Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors at least twice a day
Drink water before, during, and after working or exercising outside

Driving in extreme temperatures

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s tips for driving in extreme temperatures include:

Have sun protection: In addition to an umbrella, take sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat and wear loose-fitting, light-colored cotton clothing.

Fuel up: Keep your tank at three-quarters full. Running out of gas, especially in a remote location, is dangerous in extreme heat.

Hydrate: Take a cooler to keep extra drinking water cold, and consider adding several frozen bottles of water to use for cooling off or to thaw and drink if needed. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays hydrated.

Get help: If your vehicle breaks down in extreme heat, call for assistance right away to reduce wait time, and run the AC. If the AC isn’t working, roll down all windows.

Wait safely: If the temperature inside your vehicle becomes too hot, everyone, including pets, should exit carefully and seek out or create a shaded area as far away from the travel lanes as possible. Be careful walking on the road surface, which can be hot enough to burn skin. Keep your shoes on and try to keep your pets’ paws off the pavement. If you are stopped along the highway, raise the front hood and turn on hazard lights. Please keep in mind that parking in tall brush can start a fire.

Check your vehicle: You can help avoid breakdowns and blowouts by making sure your vehicle is in good operating condition. Check your air conditioner and coolant levels, top off any vital engine fluids and make sure your battery is up to par. Check your tire pressure, as the combination of under inflated tires and hot pavement can lead to a blowout.

MORE: https://azdot.gov/about/transportation-safety/severe-weather

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