National Weather Service issues Excessive Heat Warning for Phoenix and other parts of Arizona
PHOENIX - The National Weather Service officials say they have issued an Excessive Heat Warning for parts of Arizona, including the Phoenix area.
According to a tweet made by weather officials, the warning covers the lower elevations of Southwestern and South Central Arizona, as well as portions of Southeastern California.
The following counties are under the heat warning:
- Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz from Aug. 25, 10 a.m. to Aug. 27, 8 p.m.
- La Paz, Mohave, and Yuma from Aug. 26, 10 a.m. to Aug. 29, 8 p.m.
Daytime temperatures in the Phoenix metro area are expected to reach 110 degrees or higher.
Excessive Heat Warning in Arizona
The Salvation Army will be setting up heat relief stations throughout the Valley for those needing shelter or water, and those locations will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find a location near you here.
"Be sure to keep yourself well-hydrated, limit exposure outdoors during the hottest part of the day, and check on loved ones and pets," read a tweet made by officials with NWS.
Additionally, trails on Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain will be closed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone who breaks the rules is subject to a fine of up to $2500 and six months in jail. The city of Phoenix is testing this new policy at the request of the fire department.
Officials say firefighters have been hospitalized for heat-related injuries after trying to help other people out in dangerously high temperatures.
Some Phoenix hiking trails to close on extreme heat days from July 16-Sept. 30
The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board agreed to a pilot program on July 13 that would close popular hiking trails during days with extreme heat. This takes the pressure off of rescue crews who help hikers down with heat-related issues.
More weather news
- Phoenix's 2021 monsoon season inches closer to 1896 record for most measurable rainfall
- Phoenix area expected to warm up again after active monsoon season
- July was Earth’s hottest month on record, NOAA says
You can check the latest weather conditions by visiting the FOX 10 Phoenix weather page, or download the Free FOX 10 Weather app, which is available on Apple iOS and Android.
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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