Arizona, 2023

Excessive Heat and Heat in Arizona, June 24 to 30, 2023

June 24 to 30, 2023 · NWS TWC · 12 events in 10 counties and zones

Hot temperatures 3 to 6 degrees above normal were experienced in the lower elevations of Pima, Santa Cruz, Graham, Greenlee and southeast Pinal counties June 24-30, with very hot temperatures 5 to 11 degrees above normal high temperatures breaking records in a few locations June 25-27. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two individuals found…

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 12 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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The toll

Deaths
7
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
12

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.

Hot temperatures 3 to 6 degrees above normal were experienced in the lower elevations of Pima, Santa Cruz, Graham, Greenlee and southeast Pinal counties June 24-30, with very hot temperatures 5 to 11 degrees above normal high temperatures breaking records in a few locations June 25-27. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two individuals found in the desert, one in Santa Cruz County and another on the Tohono O'odham Nation. Heat was determined to be a contributing factor in the death of five individuals in Tucson.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 excessive heat, 2 heat. Local standard time, as filed.

Heat, Tucson Metro Area

When
June 24, 11:00 AM MST to 8:00 PM MST
Where
Tucson Metro Area forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hot temperatures 3 to 6 degrees above normal were experienced in the Tucson Metro Area June 24, causing the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached. Tucson International Airport topped out at 105 degrees. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was a contributing factor in the death of one individual found in a homeless encampment in Tucson.

Excessive Heat, Western Pima County

When
June 25, 11:00 AM MST to June 26, 8:00 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 temperatures 5 to 8 degrees above normal were experienced in western Pima County and the Tohono O'odham Nation June 25-26, causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached. Ajo topped out at 112 degrees both days while Sells reached 107. On June 26, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument topped out at 109 degrees. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary factor in the death of one individual found in the desert near Sells.

Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation

When
June 25, 11:00 AM MST to June 26, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Tohono O Odham Nation forecast zone
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
32.501, -111.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Very hot temperatures 5 to 8 degrees above normal were experienced in western Pima County and the Tohono O'odham Nation June 25-26, causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached. Ajo topped out at 112 degrees both days while Sells reached 107. On June 26, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument topped out at 109 degrees. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary factor in the death of one individual found in the desert near Sells.

Excessive Heat, Baboquivari Mountains

When
June 25, 11:00 AM MST to June 26, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Baboquivari Mountains forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Very hot temperatures 5 to 8 degrees above normal were experienced in western Pima County and the Tohono O'odham Nation June 25-26, causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached. Ajo topped out at 112 degrees both days while Sells reached 107. On June 26, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument topped out at 109 degrees. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary factor in the death of one individual found in the desert near Sells.

Excessive Heat, Tucson Metro Area

When
June 25, 11:00 AM MST to June 27, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Tucson Metro Area forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Very hot temperatures 5 to 10 degrees above normal were experienced in the Tucson Metro area June 25-27, causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached. The Tucson International Airport reached 111 degrees on June 25-26 and 108 on June 27. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was a contributing factor in the death of one individual in Tucson found on the street on June 26.

Excessive Heat, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys

When
June 26, 11:00 AM MST to June 27, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys forecast zone
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
31.812, -111.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Very hot temperatures 6 to 11 degrees above normal were experienced in the lower elevations of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and southeast Pinal counties June 26-27, causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached. Some of the hottest temperatures during the period were 110 degrees at Cascabel, Safford Airport (record for June 26), and Sasabe (records both days); 109 at Duncan; 108 at Nogales and Picacho; 107 at Bisbee-Douglas Airport; and 106 at San Manuel and Willcox. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary factor in the death of one individual found in the desert near Ruby.

Excessive Heat, South Central Pinal County

When
June 26, 11:00 AM MST to June 27, 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)

Very hot temperatures 6 to 11 degrees above normal were experienced in the lower elevations of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and southeast Pinal counties June 26-27, causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached. Some of the hottest temperatures during the period were 110 degrees at Cascabel, Safford Airport (record for June 26), and Sasabe (records both days); 109 at Duncan; 108 at Nogales and Picacho; 107 at Bisbee-Douglas Airport; and 106 at San Manuel and Willcox.

Excessive Heat, Southeast Pinal County

When
June 26, 11:00 AM MST to June 27, 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)

Very hot temperatures 6 to 11 degrees above normal were experienced in the lower elevations of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and southeast Pinal counties June 26-27, causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached. Some of the hottest temperatures during the period were 110 degrees at Cascabel, Safford Airport (record for June 26), and Sasabe (records both days); 109 at Duncan; 108 at Nogales and Picacho; 107 at Bisbee-Douglas Airport; and 106 at San Manuel and Willcox.

Excessive Heat, Upper San Pedro River Valley

When
June 26, 11:00 AM MST to June 27, 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)

Very hot temperatures 6 to 11 degrees above normal were experienced in the lower elevations of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and southeast Pinal counties June 26-27, causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached. Some of the hottest temperatures during the period were 110 degrees at Cascabel, Safford Airport (record for June 26), and Sasabe (records both days); 109 at Duncan; 108 at Nogales and Picacho; 107 at Bisbee-Douglas Airport; and 106 at San Manuel and Willcox.

Excessive Heat, Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet

When
June 26, 11:00 AM MST to June 27, 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 temperatures 6 to 11 degrees above normal were experienced in the lower elevations of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and southeast Pinal counties June 26-27, causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached. Some of the hottest temperatures during the period were 110 degrees at Cascabel, Safford Airport (record for June 26), and Sasabe (records both days); 109 at Duncan; 108 at Nogales and Picacho; 107 at Bisbee-Douglas Airport; and 106 at San Manuel and Willcox.

Excessive Heat, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys

When
June 26, 11:00 AM MST to June 27, 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)

Very hot temperatures 6 to 11 degrees above normal were experienced in the lower elevations of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and southeast Pinal counties June 26-27, causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached. Some of the hottest temperatures during the period were 110 degrees at Cascabel, Safford Airport (record for June 26), and Sasabe (records both days); 109 at Duncan; 108 at Nogales and Picacho; 107 at Bisbee-Douglas Airport; and 106 at San Manuel and Willcox.

Heat, Tucson Metro Area

When
June 28, 11:00 AM MST to June 30, 8:00 PM MST
Where
Tucson Metro Area forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 3 indirect
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hot temperatures 3 to 6 degrees above normal were experienced in the Tucson Metro Area June 28-29, causing the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached. Tucson International Airport reached 107, 106, and 105 degrees, respectively. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was a contributing factor in the death of three individuals in Tucson. One was found in an open desert area on June 28, another in a street median on June 29, and the third in a shed next to his dwelling on June 30.

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
Heat, Tucson Metro Area2023-06-2449FemaleOutside/Open AreasIndirect
Excessive Heat, Tohono O Odham Nation2023-06-2628MaleOutside/Open AreasDirect
Excessive Heat, Tucson Metro Area2023-06-2640MaleOutside/Open AreasIndirect
Excessive Heat, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys2023-06-2636FemaleOutside/Open AreasDirect
Heat, Tucson Metro Area2023-06-2842MaleOutside/Open AreasIndirect
Heat, Tucson Metro Area2023-06-2948MaleOutside/Open AreasIndirect
Heat, Tucson Metro Area2023-06-3076MalePermanent StructureIndirect

What these are

Heat
Heat below excessive heat criteria that still caused deaths, injuries or significant impacts.
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 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Arizona, June 2023

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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1112557, 1113264, 1113269, 1113271, 1113286, 1113280, 1113281, 1113282, 1113283, 1113284, 1113285, 1112576.