High pressure aloft strengthened over Arizona and created a period of very hot temperatures August 25-30 across southeast Arizona. High temperatures were 6 to 14 degrees above normal causing the Moderate to Major Heat Risk categories to be reached and numerous high temperature records to be established. A total of eleven heat-related fatalities were reported by the Pima County Medical Examiner.

Excessive Heat in UPPER SANTA CRUZ RIVER AND ALTAR VALLEYS, ARIZONA
From 27-AUG-23 10:00:00 to 29-AUG-23 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Very hot temperatures of 7 to 14 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across southeast Pima County, south central Pinal County and the lower elevations of Santa Cruz County August 27-29. Record highs included 111 degrees at Picacho Peak; 108 at Sasabe; and 104 at the Nogales Airport, all on August 29.  While not a record, Picacho Peak reached 112 degrees on the 28th. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for two individuals found in the desert of southeast Pima County (one on the 28th about 8 miles southwest of Three Points and one on the 29th just east of the Baboquivari Mountains at 3800 ft near Elkhorn Ranch).

Excessive Heat in SOUTH CENTRAL PINAL COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 27-AUG-23 10:00:00 to 29-AUG-23 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Very hot temperatures of 7 to 14 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across southeast Pima County, south central Pinal County and the lower elevations of Santa Cruz County August 27-29. Record highs included 111 degrees at Picacho Peak; 108 at Sasabe; and 104 at the Nogales Airport, all on August 29.  While not a record, Picacho Peak reached 112 degrees on the 28th. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for two individuals found in the desert of southeast Pima County (one on the 28th about 8 miles southwest of Three Points and one on the 29th just east of the Baboquivari Mountains at 3800 ft near Elkhorn Ranch).

Excessive Heat in TUCSON METRO AREA, ARIZONA
From 27-AUG-23 10:00:00 to 30-AUG-23 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Very hot temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across eastern Pima County August 27-30. Record highs at Tucson International Airport included 109 degrees on August 28 and 108 on the 29th. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for one individual found indoors on the 28th with a nonfunctioning AC unit in Green Valley where the temperature topped out at 103 degrees. Heat was found to be a contributing factor in the death of four individuals outdoors in Tucson during the period. Two were found outdoors and also experienced a complicating factor of drug toxicity. Three had complicating factors of drug toxicity and one suffered from other health conditions.

Excessive Heat in BABOQUIVARI MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA
From 27-AUG-23 10:00:00 to 29-AUG-23 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Very hot temperatures of 7 to 14 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across southeast Pima County, south central Pinal County and the lower elevations of Santa Cruz County August 27-29. Record highs included 111 degrees at Picacho Peak; 108 at Sasabe; and 104 at the Nogales Airport, all on August 29.  While not a record, Picacho Peak reached 112 degrees on the 28th. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for two individuals found in the desert of southeast Pima County (one on the 28th about 8 miles southwest of Three Points and one on the 29th just east of the Baboquivari Mountains at 3800 ft near Elkhorn Ranch).

Excessive Heat in TOHONO O ODHAM NATION, ARIZONA
From 26-AUG-23 10:00:00 to 29-AUG-23 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Very hot temperatures of 7 to 13 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across western Pima County and the Tohono O'odham Nation August 26-29. Record highs at Ajo were 114, 115, 118 and 116 degrees, respectively. Record highs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument included 114 degrees on August 28 and 113 on the 29th. Record highs at Sells included 108 degrees on August 26 and 27, and 109 on the 28th. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for two individuals found in the desert on the 26th in the Sells and Topawa areas.

Heat in TUCSON METRO AREA, ARIZONA
From 25-AUG-23 10:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Hot temperatures around 6 degrees above normal, near 105 degrees, caused the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached across the Tucson Metro area August 25. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was a contributing factor in the death of one individual found indoors with a nonfunctioning AC unit. A complicating factor in this fatality was additional health issues.

Heat in EASTERN COCHISE COUNTY BELOW 5000 FEET, ARIZONA
From 28-AUG-23 10:00:00 to 28-AUG-23 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Hot temperatures 6 to 8 degrees above normal caused the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached on August 28 in southeast Cochise County, where temperatures topped out around 100 degrees. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined heat to be the primary cause of death for one individual found in the desert 15 to 20 miles northeast of Douglas.

Excessive Heat in WESTERN PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 26-AUG-23 10:00:00 to 29-AUG-23 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Very hot temperatures of 7 to 13 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across western Pima County and the Tohono O'odham Nation August 26-29. Record highs at Ajo were 114, 115, 118 and 116 degrees, respectively. Record highs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument included 114 degrees on August 28 and 113 on the 29th. Record highs at Sells included 108 degrees on August 26 and 27, and 109 on the 28th. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that heat was the primary cause of death for two individuals found in the desert on the 26th in the Sells and Topawa areas.