Heatwaves in Major citites?

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Daniel NC

Here in Phoenix, we often get to around 118 in summer. Our average june temp is 114 and heat waves can get up to 120 on a hot day. Heat waves during winter can get up to 85 and i saw 91 in january three years ago. But-of course-with the wind chill it is only 116.

I'm sorry, but this is highly exaggerated. Phoenix's average June temperature is NOT 114 degrees ... it's 103.9 degrees for the average high, 75.6 degrees for the average low, and that makes the average overall June temperature 89.8 degrees. 114 is often the highest temperature we'll experience in June, even though it has been 122 degrees on one rare occasion.

A typical winter warm spell can be in the mid 80s, but it has never been 91 degrees in January. The warmest it has ever been in January was 88 degrees back in 1971. An average Phoenix winter is cool and somewhat on the moist side ... mostly 60s & 70s for highs and 40s for lows.

The way you describe Phoenix sounds more like Death Valley or somewhere in the Middle East. Yes, it can be hell on earth during the summer months ... but it's still not as bad as some places around the world. It's certainly not normal to reach 120. Only twice in history has Phoenix officially hit the 120 mark.

[Daniel NC]

whoops, sorry. By average I meant Average high. I meant 104. And, also, here in peoria, it is often much warmer than in central phoenix, even with he urban heat column. IN 2007 I saw 91 on the thermometer in the shade on my patio. It was a sunnym dry day. Yes, the we can get to 120 on a hot day is an exxageration, but I often see 116 on the thermometer. Winter is wonderful, especially in March when it is warmer but the wind is still cool. Plus, the official weather station for Phoenix is at Sky Harbor International Airport. Thank you for the corrections.

[Daniel NC]

Plus, I am not in Phoenix.