Arizona, 2021Excessive Heat and Heat in Arizona, June 12 to 20, 2021
June 12 to 20, 2021 · NWS TWC · 10 events in 10 counties and zones
Very hot temperatures were experienced in much of southeast Arizona from June 12-20 with high temperatures exceeding established records in many locations. A number of heat-related deaths were reported of persons found in desert.
Every event with a place to put it; 10 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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- Deaths
- 16
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 10
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.
Very hot temperatures were experienced in much of southeast Arizona from June 12-20 with high temperatures exceeding established records in many locations. A number of heat-related deaths were reported of persons found in desert.
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 Jun 12, 2:45 AM MST, 7 hours 15 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 12, 2:45 AM MST, 7 hours 15 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
245 AM MST Sat Jun 12 2021
.SYNOPSIS...A strong ridge of high pressure will result in excessive
heat today through much of next week. This high pressure will become
centered over the four corners region by the middle of next week.
This position of the high will allow moisture to increase across the
area with the prospects of isolated showers and thunderstorms
entering the forecast starting Tuesday or Wednesday.
&&
.DISCUSSION...The main weather message will continue to be
the excessive heat starting today through most of next week. High
pressure aloft will amplify and strengthen over the region resulting
in this extended period of excessive heat. High temperatures will be
peaking 10 to 15 degrees above average with record or near record
highs likely through next week. Refer to the Climate section in this
product for a short list of projected record highs for today and
Sunday.
Ensembles still favored the upper high becoming centered over the
four corners region by the middle of next week. This position of the
upper high will allow for an increase in moisture, with isolated
showers and thunderstorms possible as early as Tuesday. This
moisture was still very far away, but models continued to track it
northward the next few days. At this time, the best chance of
afternoon and evening thunderstorms will evolve after Tuesday. The
increase in moisture could help moderate temperatures a bit toward
the end of next week.
&&
.AVIATION...Valid through 13/12Z.
VFR conditions with FEW clouds above 20k ft MSL. Normal diurnal
surface wind trends generally less than 10kts, gusty in the
afternoon. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...Excessive heat will be the main weather story today
through most of next week. An increase in moisture and subsequent
prospects of isolated showers and thunderstorms will enter the
forecast this coming Tuesday through at least Friday. Dry lightning
along with strong and erratic shower or thunderstorm winds will be
the main concerns. However, continue to expect the typical afternoon
and early evening breeziness with gusts up to 25 mph in spots.
Minimum humidities will generally be in the single digits in the
valleys and 6-12 percent in the mountains with poor overnight
recoveries through Monday. A slight improvement is expected
thereafter especially in the mountains and with overnight recoveries
poor to fair areawide.
.CLIMATE...Near record or record high temperatures can be expect
today through much of next week.
List of record or near record high temperatures for the next 2 days.
Date Today Jun 13
FCST RCD/YR FCST RCD/YR
TUCSON INTL AIRPORT 110 109/1995 112 110/1924
AJO 109 112/1956 111 112/2019
KITT PEAK 92 89/2013 94 88/1985
ORGAN PIPE CACTUS 111 111/2019 110 112/1956
PICACHO PEAK 110 111/1995 112 110/2018
SAFFORD AG STATION 112 105/1956 112 106/1974
SIERRA VISTA FD 105 101/2013 106 104/2013
TOMBSTONE 107 105/1924 107 104/1946
WILLCOX 105 106/2013 107 106/2013
&&
.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Excessive Heat Warning from 10 AM today to 8 PM MST Wednesday for
AZZ503-504-509.
Excessive Heat Watch from Wednesday evening through Friday
evening for AZZ503-504-509.
Excessive Heat Warning from 10 AM today to 9 PM MST Friday for
AZZ502-505-506.
Excessive Heat Warning from 10 AM Sunday to 9 PM MST Friday for
AZZ501.
Excessive Heat Warning from 10 AM today to 8 PM MST Monday for
AZZ507-508.
&&
Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/TucsonExcessive Heat, Western Pima County
- When
- June 12, 10:00 AM MST to June 20, 9:00 PM MST
- Where
- Western Pima County forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very hot high temperatures of 106 to 119 degrees, or 8 to 13 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona June 12-20, and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. New record daily high temperature records were established at numerous sites on several days during this period. For Tucson International Airport, this nine day period contributed to the hottest June on record and the 4th hottest temperature on record of 115 degrees occurred on June 15. Sites that tied or broke all time hottest temperature records included Ajo with 119 degrees, Sasabe with 113, Green Valley with 112. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for 14 people found in the desert of Pima and Santa Cruz counties during this time period.
Excessive Heat, Upper San Pedro River Valley
- When
- June 12, 10:00 AM MST to June 14, 8:00 PM MST
- Where
- Upper San Pedro River Valley forecast zone
- Deaths
- 1 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 32.109, -110.569 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very hot high temperatures of 103 to 112 degrees, or 8 to 16 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower elevations of Cochise County June 12-14, and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. New record daily high temperature records were established at several sites, including 112 degrees at Cascabel, 111 at Willcox, 109 at Tombstone, and 107 at Sierra Vista. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for 1 person found in the desert near the International Border south of Palominas on June 14.
Excessive Heat, Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet
- When
- June 12, 10:00 AM MST to June 14, 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)
Very hot high temperatures of 103 to 112 degrees, or 8 to 16 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower elevations of Cochise County June 12-14, and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. New record daily high temperature records were established at several sites, including 112 degrees at Cascabel, 111 at Willcox, 109 at Tombstone, and 107 at Sierra Vista. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for 1 person found in the desert near the International Border south of Palominas on June 14.
Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation
- When
- June 12, 10:00 AM MST to June 20, 9:00 PM MST
- Where
- Tohono O Odham Nation forecast zone
- Deaths
- 11 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 32.501, -111.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very hot high temperatures of 106 to 119 degrees, or 8 to 13 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona June 12-20, and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. New record daily high temperature records were established at numerous sites on several days during this period. For Tucson International Airport, this nine day period contributed to the hottest June on record and the 4th hottest temperature on record of 115 degrees occurred on June 15. Sites that tied or broke all time hottest temperature records included Ajo with 119 degrees, Sasabe with 113, Green Valley with 112. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for 14 people found in the desert of Pima and Santa Cruz counties during this time period.
Excessive Heat, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys
- When
- June 12, 10:00 AM MST to June 20, 9:00 PM MST
- Where
- Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys forecast zone
- Deaths
- 3 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 31.812, -111.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very hot high temperatures of 106 to 119 degrees, or 8 to 13 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona June 12-20, and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. New record daily high temperature records were established at numerous sites on several days during this period. For Tucson International Airport, this nine day period contributed to the hottest June on record and the 4th hottest temperature on record of 115 degrees occurred on June 15. Sites that tied or broke all time hottest temperature records included Ajo with 119 degrees, Sasabe with 113, Green Valley with 112. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for 14 people found in the desert of Pima and Santa Cruz counties during this time period.
Excessive Heat, Tucson Metro Area
- When
- June 12, 10:00 AM MST to June 20, 9:00 PM MST
- Where
- Tucson Metro Area forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very hot high temperatures of 106 to 119 degrees, or 8 to 13 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona June 12-20, and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. New record daily high temperature records were established at numerous sites on several days during this period. For Tucson International Airport, this nine day period contributed to the hottest June on record and the 4th hottest temperature on record of 115 degrees occurred on June 15. Sites that tied or broke all time hottest temperature records included Ajo with 119 degrees, Sasabe with 113, Green Valley with 112. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for 14 people found in the desert of Pima and Santa Cruz counties during this time period.
Excessive Heat, South Central Pinal County
- When
- June 12, 10:00 AM MST to June 20, 9:00 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)
Very hot high temperatures of 106 to 119 degrees, or 8 to 13 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona June 12-20, and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. New record daily high temperature records were established at numerous sites on several days during this period. For Tucson International Airport, this nine day period contributed to the hottest June on record and the 4th hottest temperature on record of 115 degrees occurred on June 15. Sites that tied or broke all time hottest temperature records included Ajo with 119 degrees, Sasabe with 113, Green Valley with 112. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for 14 people found in the desert of Pima and Santa Cruz counties during this time period.
Excessive Heat, Southeast Pinal County
- When
- June 12, 10:00 AM MST to June 20, 9:00 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)
Very hot high temperatures of 106 to 119 degrees, or 8 to 13 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona June 12-20, and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. New record daily high temperature records were established at numerous sites on several days during this period. For Tucson International Airport, this nine day period contributed to the hottest June on record and the 4th hottest temperature on record of 115 degrees occurred on June 15. Sites that tied or broke all time hottest temperature records included Ajo with 119 degrees, Sasabe with 113, Green Valley with 112. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for 14 people found in the desert of Pima and Santa Cruz counties during this time period.
Excessive Heat, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys
- When
- June 12, 10:00 AM MST to June 20, 9:00 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)
Very hot high temperatures of 106 to 119 degrees, or 8 to 13 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona June 12-20, and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. New record daily high temperature records were established at numerous sites on several days during this period. For Tucson International Airport, this nine day period contributed to the hottest June on record and the 4th hottest temperature on record of 115 degrees occurred on June 15. Sites that tied or broke all time hottest temperature records included Ajo with 119 degrees, Sasabe with 113, Green Valley with 112. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for 14 people found in the desert of Pima and Santa Cruz counties during this time period.
Heat, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains
- When
- June 12, 12:00 PM MST to June 20, 6:00 PM MST
- Where
- Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains forecast zone
- Deaths
- 1 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 32.501, -111.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
A man on a four-day hike suffered heat exhaustion in the Santa Catalina Mountains. He had checked in the morning of his passing but did not make it to his pick up point. High temperatures were above normal and ranged from 90 to 100 degrees between 5000 and 7000 feet.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|
| Excessive Heat, Upper San Pedro River Valley | 2021-06-14 | 23 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation | 2021-06-13 | 32 | Female | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation | 2021-06-13 | 42 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation | 2021-06-13 | 29 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation | 2021-06-15 | 34 | Female | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation | 2021-06-17 | 36 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation | 2021-06-17 | 28 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation | 2021-06-20 | 19 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation | 2021-06-20 | 42 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation | 2021-06-15 | 35 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation | 2021-06-17 | 36 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation | 2021-06-19 | 54 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys | 2021-06-13 | 35 | Female | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys | 2021-06-12 | 22 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Excessive Heat, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys | 2021-06-15 | 37 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Heat, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains | 2021-06-20 | 71 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
- Excessive Heat
- Heat at or above the local excessive heat warning criteria, or heat that caused deaths.
- Heat
- Heat below excessive heat criteria that still caused deaths, injuries or significant impacts.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Excessive Heat in Arizona, June 12 to 20, 202160 deaths · 34 events
- Lightning Strike in Georgia, June 12, 20211 death · 1 injured · 1 event
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Illinois, June 12, 2021$2.1 million · 1 in hail · 4 events
- Flash Flooding and Hail in Indiana, June 12 to 13, 2021$181,000 · 1 in hail · 16 events
- Damaging Winds in Alabama, June 12, 2021$123,000 · 65 kt wind · 8 events
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Michigan, June 12, 2021$60,000 · 2.75 in hail · 3 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, June 12, 20212 injured · $16,000 · 61 kt wind · 4 events
- Flash Flooding and Flood in Indiana, June 12, 2021$20,000 · 50 kt wind · 10 events
- Damaging Winds in Kentucky, June 12, 202150 kt wind · 22 events
- Flood and Hail in Illinois, June 12, 20211.25 in hail · 19 events
- Flash Flood and Hail in Tennessee, June 12, 2021$16,000 · 1 in hail · 9 events
- Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in Georgia, June 12, 2021$3,000 · 50 kt wind · 14 events
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 970298, 970299, 970315, 970319, 970320, 970321, 970322, 970323, 970324, 970980.