![]() ![]() Bars show averages over 5-year periods (last bar is a 6-year average). ![]() One notable trend is an increase in both daytime high and nighttime low summer temperatures, which has implications for the intensity of future heat waves in a state that already experiences very hot conditions (Figures 2b and 2c).įigure 2: Observed (a) annual number of extremely hot days (maximum temperature of 100☏ or higher), (b) summer (June–August) average maximum temperature, (c) summer average minimum temperature, (d) total annual precipitation, and (e) annual number of 1-inch extreme precipitation events (days with precipitation of 1 inch or more) for Arizona from (a, e) 1930 to 2020 and (b, c, d) 1895 to 2020. ![]() The number of nights with a minimum temperature of 0☏ or lower has been below average since 1980 (Figure 4). Since 1995, the number of days with a maximum temperature of 100☏ or higher has been near to above average, reaching a record high during the 2015 to 2020 period (Figure 2a).The number of nights with a minimum temperature of 80☏ or higher has been trending upward since 1995, also reaching a record high during the 2015 to 2020 period (Figure 3) this increase in high nighttime minimums is observed statewide, but the increase is much larger in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The first 21 years of this century have been the warmest period on record for the state (Figure 1). Temperatures in Arizona have risen about 2.5☏ since the beginning of the 20th century. Less warming is expected under a lower emissions future (the coldest end-of-century projections being about 2☏ warmer than the historical average green shading) and more warming under a higher emissions future (the hottest end-of-century projections being about 11☏ warmer than the hottest year in the historical record red shading). Historically unprecedented warming is projected during this century. Observed temperatures are generally within the envelope of model simulations of the historical period (gray shading). Shading indicates the range of annual temperatures from the set of models. Temperatures in Arizona (orange line) have risen about 2.5✯ since the beginning of the 20th century. Projected changes for 2006–2100 are from global climate models for two possible futures: one in which greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase (higher emissions) and another in which greenhouse gas emissions increase at a slower rate (lower emissions). The hottest year on record was 2017, with a statewide annual average temperature of 63.0☏, which is 3.3☏ above the long-term (1895–2020) average.įigure 1: Observed and projected changes (compared to the 1901–1960 average) in near-surface air temperature for Arizona. Extreme temperatures in Arizona range from a record high of 128☏ at Lake Havasu City (June 29, 1994) to a record low of −40☏ at Hawley Lake (January 7, 1971). Phoenix has the hottest climate of all major U.S. The southern deserts frequently experience summer temperatures between 105☏ and 115☏. Annual average (1991–2020 normals) temperatures range from the 40s (☏) at the highest elevations in the mountains to the mid-70s (☏) in the lower elevations of the south. The mountain ranges that run from the northwest to the southeast experience heavier precipitation and wide temperature variations. The deserts in the south are some of the hottest and driest areas of the country, while the higher terrain of the Colorado Plateau in the northeast has a cooler climate, with cold winters and mild summers. state, encompasses diverse climates and topography. ![]()
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