Phoenix has ended 31-day streak of highs at or above 110 degrees

PHOENIX - A record string of daily highs over 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) in Phoenix ended Monday as the dangerous heat wave that suffocated the Southwest throughout July receded slightly with cooling monsoon rains.

The historic heat began blasting the region in June, stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and into California’s desert. Phoenix and its suburbs sweltered more and longer than most, with several records including the 31 consecutive days of 110 degrees Fahrenheit-plus (43.4 degrees Celsius) weather. The previous record was 18 straight days, set in 1974.

The streak was finally broken Monday, when the high topped out at 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42.2 Celsius) at 3:10 p.m.

"The high temperature for Phoenix today is 108 degrees," Jessica Leffel, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said at 5 p.m.

"The record streak of 31 straight days of 110+ degree temperatures has ended.," the weather service said on social media. "The high temperature at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport reached 108 degrees this afternoon, which is only 2 degrees above normal."

The reprieve was expected to be brief, with the forecast calling for highs again above 110 for several days later in the week. And National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Hirsch said August could be even hotter than July.

But residents and visitors were taking what they could get.

"It’s not going to last more than a couple of days, but I’m enjoying this break," said Christine Bertaux, 76, who was cooling off Monday at a downtown day center for older people who are homeless.

"It has been REALLY hot here!" said Jeffrey Sharpe, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, who was in town for a long weekend that on Monday included watching his son’s poodles frolic in a grassy dog park. "But today it was about 85 degrees, more like Wisconsin."

High heat blasted much of the Southwest all through July, ranging from West Texas to eastern California. But Phoenix and its suburbs sweltered to new records, including three days where the high reached 119, and overnight lows stayed above 90 more than half the month. Concerts and other outdoor events were canceled throughout the month because of the heat and busy parts of the city became ghost towns as people stayed indoors to avoid the heat.

Health officials have so far confirmed 25 heat-related deaths in Maricopa County, Arizona’s most populous and home to Phoenix, in July, although that number seems certain to rise. Another 249 deaths are under investigation for links to heat.

Rudy Soliz, who manages the center where Bertaux was cooling off, said those who visit to get a meal and cool off out of the sun "have been having a very hard time this summer."

"Older people have a harder time with the heat, there are a lot of diabetics, people who take medicines," he said.

"The heat has been pretty bad this summer. We’ve made at least five 911 calls from here this July for people who got heat stroke," said Soliz. "They’ve found a couple of bodies around here this month but it’s not clear yet if they died from the heat."

Although there is no excessive warning for city, the National Weather Service said Phoenix residents should take precautions to stay cool and safe from the heat.

"Even though it’s going to be cooler than it has been, it’s still going to be warmer than normal. And the heat definitely can still affect a large portion of the population," said Matthew Hirsch, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix. "So we’re still urging people to take the necessary precautions, such as remaining hydrated and limiting outdoor activity."