Average temperature smashed previous record
Record-breaking heat over a nine-day period made the first half of August the hottest such period on record in Phoenix.
According to the National Weather Service, Phoenix tied or broke high-temperature records on six days, and broke the record for the most consecutive morning low temperatures of at least 90. For the first time ever, Phoenix saw seven straight morning lows of 90 or higher.
The combination of record high temperatures and the warm low temperatures gave Phoenix an average temperature (daily high plus low divided by 2) of 100 degrees for the two-week period, Aug. 1-14. That's the first time Phoenix has ever recorded an average temperature of 100 degrees for a two-week period.
The average low temperature during the two weeks was 88.8, two full degrees above the next-warmest comparable period in 2003.
At the same time, there has been very little rain resulting from the monsoon, extending the drought conditions. Currently, 94% of Arizona is ranked as being in severe or extreme drought. At the same time a year ago, only 37% of the state was experiencing severe or extreme drought.
