An unseasonable heat dome has pushed temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Phoenix and Tucson this week, setting new daily records for mid-April. Phoenix hit 104 on Monday, shattering the previous April 14 record of 99 set in 1989.
The excessive heat has prompted authorities to open cooling centers across Maricopa County a full month earlier than usual. Outdoor workers and vulnerable populations are urged to take extra precautions during peak afternoon hours.
The heat wave is expected to persist through Thursday before a weak cold front brings modest relief. Overnight lows are only dropping to the mid-70s, preventing adequate cooling during sleeping hours.
