Arizona, 2018

Excessive Heat in Arizona, July 23 to 25, 2018

July 23 to 25, 2018 · NWS TWC · 17 events in 9 counties and zones

Very hot temperatures occurred in the valleys of southeast Arizona from July 23rd through July 25th. Several record high temperatures were observed.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 17 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
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Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
1
Injuries
12
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
17

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS TWC wrote it up.

Very hot temperatures occurred in the valleys of southeast Arizona from July 23rd through July 25th. Several record high temperatures were observed. While no fatalities occurred, several reports of heat-related illnesses were noted.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Tucson, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 23, 10:45 AM MST, 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 23, 10:45 AM MST, 15 minutes before
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The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

17 excessive heat. Local standard time, as filed.

Excessive Heat, Western Pima County

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Western Pima County forecast zone
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 105 to 113 degrees were observed below 5000 feet in southeast Arizona. High temperature records at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo and at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two adult males. One occurred just east of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the 24th. The second occurred on the Tohono O'odham Nation near the International Border. The exact time of death was not determinable, but very likely occurred on July 25th.

Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Tohono O Odham Nation forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
32.501, -111.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 108 to 113 degrees were observed below 4000 feet in southeast Arizona. The high temperature record at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire, responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively.

Excessive Heat, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
31.812, -111.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 108 to 113 degrees were observed below 4000 feet in southeast Arizona. The high temperature record at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire, responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively.

Excessive Heat, Tucson Metro Area

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Tucson Metro Area forecast zone
Injuries
6 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 108 to 113 degrees were observed below 4000 feet in southeast Arizona. The high temperature record at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire, responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively.

Excessive Heat, South Central Pinal County

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
South Central Pinal County forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
32.904, -111.345 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 108 to 113 degrees were observed below 4000 feet in southeast Arizona. The high temperature record at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire, responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively.

Excessive Heat, Southeast Pinal County

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Southeast Pinal County forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
32.904, -111.345 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 108 to 113 degrees were observed below 4000 feet in southeast Arizona. The high temperature record at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire, responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively.

Excessive Heat, Upper San Pedro River Valley

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Upper San Pedro River Valley forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
32.109, -110.569 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 108 to 113 degrees were observed below 4000 feet in southeast Arizona. The high temperature record at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire, responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively.

Excessive Heat, Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
31.880, -109.751 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 108 to 113 degrees were observed below 4000 feet in southeast Arizona. The high temperature record at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire, responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively.

Excessive Heat, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
33.074, -109.563 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 108 to 113 degrees were observed below 4000 feet in southeast Arizona. The high temperature record at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire, responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively.

Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Tohono O Odham Nation forecast zone
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
32.501, -111.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 105 to 113 degrees were observed below 5000 feet in southeast Arizona. High temperature records at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo and at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two adult males. One occurred just east of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the 24th. The second occurred on the Tohono O'odham Nation near the International Border. The exact time of death was not determinable, but very likely occurred on July 25th.

Excessive Heat, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
31.812, -111.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 105 to 113 degrees were observed below 5000 feet in southeast Arizona. High temperature records at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo and at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two adult males. One occurred just east of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the 24th. The second occurred on the Tohono O'odham Nation near the International Border. The exact time of death was not determinable, but very likely occurred on July 25th.

Excessive Heat, Tucson Metro Area

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Tucson Metro Area forecast zone
Injuries
6 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 105 to 113 degrees were observed below 5000 feet in southeast Arizona. High temperature records at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo and at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two adult males. One occurred just east of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the 24th. The second occurred on the Tohono O'odham Nation near the International Border. The exact time of death was not determinable, but very likely occurred on July 25th.

Excessive Heat, South Central Pinal County

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
South Central Pinal County forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
32.904, -111.345 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 105 to 113 degrees were observed below 5000 feet in southeast Arizona. High temperature records at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo and at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two adult males. One occurred just east of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the 24th. The second occurred on the Tohono O'odham Nation near the International Border. The exact time of death was not determinable, but very likely occurred on July 25th.

Excessive Heat, Southeast Pinal County

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Southeast Pinal County forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
32.904, -111.345 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 105 to 113 degrees were observed below 5000 feet in southeast Arizona. High temperature records at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo and at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two adult males. One occurred just east of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the 24th. The second occurred on the Tohono O'odham Nation near the International Border. The exact time of death was not determinable, but very likely occurred on July 25th.

Excessive Heat, Upper San Pedro River Valley

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Upper San Pedro River Valley forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
32.109, -110.569 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 105 to 113 degrees were observed below 5000 feet in southeast Arizona. High temperature records at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo and at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two adult males. One occurred just east of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the 24th. The second occurred on the Tohono O'odham Nation near the International Border. The exact time of death was not determinable, but very likely occurred on July 25th.

Excessive Heat, Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
31.880, -109.751 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 105 to 113 degrees were observed below 5000 feet in southeast Arizona. High temperature records at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo and at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two adult males. One occurred just east of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the 24th. The second occurred on the Tohono O'odham Nation near the International Border. The exact time of death was not determinable, but very likely occurred on July 25th.

Excessive Heat, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys

When
July 23, 11:00 AM MST to July 25, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
33.074, -109.563 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessively hot temperatures of 105 to 113 degrees were observed below 5000 feet in southeast Arizona. High temperature records at the Tucson International Airport were tied on July 23 with 109 degrees and broken on the 24th and 25th with highs of 112 and 110 degrees, respectively. On July 23rd, the Safford Airport reached 112 degrees and San Simon topped out at 108. A temperature of 111 degrees was attained at Sells on July 25th and at Ajo and at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on both the 24th and 25th. Benson reached 110 on all three days. Record highs were set at Bisbee-Douglas Airport on the 23rd and 24th with 105 and 104 degrees, respectively. Tucson Fire responded to at least six heat-related calls on July 24th. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two adult males. One occurred just east of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the 24th. The second occurred on the Tohono O'odham Nation near the International Border. The exact time of death was not determinable, but very likely occurred on July 25th.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Excessive Heat, Western Pima County2018-07-2440MaleOutside/Open AreasDirect

What these are

Excessive Heat
Heat at or above the local excessive heat warning criteria, or heat that caused deaths.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Arizona in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Arizona, July 2018

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 774074, 774075, 774076, 774077, 774078, 774079, 774080, 774081, 774082, 865598, 865599, 865600, 865601, 865602, 865603, 865604, 865605.