A person tries to keep cool under misters outside a homeless shelter, May 30, 2024, in Phoenix. At least six people have died from heat-related causes in 2024 so far in sizzling metro Phoenix, where the temperatures this week hit 115 degrees Fahrenheit , Arizona's Maricopa Department of Public Health reported.
Another 87 deaths are under investigation for possible heat-related causes through last Saturday, public health officials said in the most recent weekly update to its online Phoenix hit 115 degrees F on Thursday and Friday, making them the hottest days of 2024 up to now.. The metro area continued to swelter through an excessive heat warning under a dome of high pressure, with some moisture and a slight cooling possible over the weekend.
“We might see a little rain over the next few days because there is a 30% chance for Phoenix," said meteorologist Ryan Worley of the National Weather Service. ”There could be a slight cool down to around 110 degrees, but temperatures should go n back up next week."Maricopa County, the hottest big metro area in the U.S., is among few jurisdictions that provide regularly updated data on heat-related deaths that can be easily accessed by the public.
The Office of the Medical Examiner in Pima County, home to Arizona's second most populous city of Tucson, this year added a dashboard to track heat deaths there. So far this year, there have been at leastCopyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.