Persistent strong high pressure aloft created an extended period of very hot temperatures July 14-30 across southeast Arizona. High temperatures were 5 to 14 degrees above normal causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached and numerous high temperatures to be established. Several dozen heat-related fatalities were reported by the Pima County Medical Examiner.

Excessive Heat in SOUTHEAST PINAL COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-23 10:00:00 to 29-JUL-23 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Very hot temperatures of 6 to 11 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across south central and southeast Pinal County July 14-29. Record highs at Picacho Peak Ajo included 113 degrees July 19-21; and 112 on July 25. The hottest temperature was 114 degrees on the 26th. Record highs at San Manuel were 108 degrees on July 25; 107 on July 20 and 26; and 106 on July 15, 17-18, 21, and 27-28.

Excessive Heat in TOHONO O ODHAM NATION, ARIZONA
From 14-JUL-23 10:00:00 to 29-JUL-23 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Very hot temperatures of 5 to 13 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across the Tohono O'odham Nation July 14-29. Record highs at Sells included 113 degrees on July 20; 112 on July 19; 111 on July 17, 18, 21 and 22; and 110 on July 15, 17 and 29. A total of 12 heat-related fatalities were reported by the Pima County Medical Examiner. Heat was determined to be the primary cause of death for eight individuals found in the desert during the period; one individual who died in a non-air conditioned shack in Topawa on July 21; and an elderly couple who died in their Santa Rosa home due to a broken A/C unit on July 27. Heat was determined to be a contributing factor for one individual found in a shack in Ali Chugk on July 20. A complicating factor in the fatality was drug toxicity.

Excessive Heat in WESTERN PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 14-JUL-23 10:00:00 to 29-JUL-23 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Very hot temperatures of 5 to 12 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across western Pima County July 14-29. Record highs at Ajo included 118 degrees on July 25; 117 on July 21 and 22; 116 on July 18 and 19; 115 on July 14, 24 and 29; and 114 on the 15th. Record highs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument were 114 degrees on July 20 and 23; and 112 on July 18, 19, 24 and 25. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for two individuals found in the desert at Organ Pipe Cactus NM on July 15 and 18 and another at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge July 29. Heat was determined to be a contributing factor for one individual found in a driveway in Ajo on July 28. A complicating factor in the fatality was alcohol and drug intoxication.

Excessive Heat in UPPER SANTA CRUZ RIVER AND ALTAR VALLEYS, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-23 10:00:00 to 30-JUL-23 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Very hot temperatures of 8 to 13 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached in the Altar Valley and Santa Cruz County July 15-30. Record highs at Sasabe included 111 degrees on July 19-21; 109 on July 16-18 and 26-28. Record highs at the Nogales Airport included 108 degrees on July 20, 107 on July 18 and 106 on July 21. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for five individuals found in the desert during the period. Heat was determined to be a contributing factor for an elderly man with other health issues who died in his front yard in Rio Rico in July 21.

Excessive Heat in EASTERN COCHISE COUNTY BELOW 5000 FEET, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-23 10:00:00 to 22-JUL-23 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Very hot temperatures of 10 to 15 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached in Cochise County July 15-22. Record highs included 111 degrees July 17-18, and 110 July 20-21 at Cascabel; 104 July 21-22 at Tombstone; 106 on July 21, and 105 July 18-20 and 22 at Sierra Vista; 107 on July 19, and 106 on July 18, 20-21 at Bisbee-Douglas Airport; 110 on July 21, 109 on July 22, and 108 on July 16 at Willcox; 107 on July 17 and 20 at San Simon. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for one individual on July 16 whose A/C was turned off in Sierra Vista and for another who was found in the desert near the International Border and New Mexico state line on the 20th.

Excessive Heat in TUCSON METRO AREA, ARIZONA
From 14-JUL-23 10:00:00 to 29-JUL-23 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Very hot temperatures of 6 to 13 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across eastern Pima County July 14-29. Record highs at Tucson International Airport included 112 degrees on July 20 and 25 (also reached 112 July  18-19); 111 on July 16, 17 and 21; and 110 on the 15th. A total of 40 heat-related fatalities were reported by the Pima County Medical Examiner. Heat was determined to be the primary cause of death for 13 individuals in Tucson, one in Oro Valley, and one near Sahuarita. Seven of these deaths occurred outdoors while eight individuals were found indoors with A/C units which were either not working, turned off or not present at all. Heat was determined to be a contributing factor for 25 individuals, in Tucson or the immediate vicinity. Twelve of these included the complicating factor of drug toxicity (10 outdoors and 2 indoors with a nonfunctioning A/C). Ten in Tucson suffered from various health issues (2 outdoors and 8 indoors with a nonfunctioning A/C). Heat was a contributing factor for an additional three individuals who had other health issues, one each in Green Valley, Sahuarita and Vail.

Excessive Heat in UPPER GILA RIVER AND ARAVAIPA VALLEYS, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-23 10:00:00 to 28-JUL-23 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Very hot temperatures up to 15 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached in the lower elevations of Graham and Greenlee counties July 15-28. Record highs at Safford Airport included 113 degrees July 19; 112 on July 20 and 26; and 111 on July 17, 21, 27. Record highs at Safford Ag Station included 112 degrees on July 26; and 111 on July 15, 17, 25 and 27. Record highs at Duncan included 111 degrees on July 18 and 27; and 110 on July 15, 21 and 26. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was a contributing factor in the death of  one individual found in a shack in rural Graham County between Fort Thomas and Pima on July 23. A complicating factor in the fatality was drug toxicity.

Excessive Heat in SOUTH CENTRAL PINAL COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-23 10:00:00 to 29-JUL-23 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Very hot temperatures of 6 to 11 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across south central and southeast Pinal County July 14-29. Record highs at Picacho Peak Ajo included 113 degrees July 19-21; and 112 on July 25. The hottest temperature was 114 degrees on the 26th. Record highs at San Manuel were 108 degrees on July 25; 107 on July 20 and 26; and 106 on July 15, 17-18, 21, and 27-28.

Excessive Heat in UPPER SAN PEDRO RIVER VALLEY, ARIZONA
From 15-JUL-23 10:00:00 to 22-JUL-23 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Very hot temperatures of 10 to 15 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached in Cochise County July 15-22. Record highs included 111 degrees July 17-18, and 110 July 20-21 at Cascabel; 104 July 21-22 at Tombstone; 106 on July 21, and 105 July 18-20 and 22 at Sierra Vista; 107 on July 19, and 106 on July 18, 20-21 at Bisbee-Douglas Airport; 110 on July 21, 109 on July 22, and 108 on July 16 at Willcox; 107 on July 17 and 20 at San Simon. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for one individual on July 16 whose A/C was turned off in Sierra Vista and for another who was found in the desert near the International Border and New Mexico state line on the 20th.

Heat in DRAGOON/MULE/HUACHUCA AND SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA
From 18-JUL-23 11:00:00 to 18-JUL-23 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Hot temperatures in the upper 90s and 5-9 degrees above normal caused the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached in Bisbee. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined heat to be a contributing factor in the death of one individual with preexisting health conditions who died in their home due to a nonfunctioning A/C unit.