Dear Tom,
Has Phoenix, Ariz., ever topped its 122(degrees) temperature that occurred in 1990?
Mabel Shinouskis
Dear Mabel,
The blazing temperature of 122(degrees) recorded in Phoenix on June 26, 1990, remains that desert city’s all-time high. Temperatures of 120(degrees) or higher are rare there, but each year the city typically has about 10 days on which the thermometer reaches at least 110(degrees). The closest Phoenix came to its 122(degrees) record was 1995 when the mercury climbed to 121(degrees) on July 28.
Phoenix experiences triple-digit daily highs for nearly a quarter of the year, averaging 89 such days annually, but in 1989 the city recorded an incredible 143 days with highs of 100(degrees)-plus. The least number of 100s there was in 1913 when “only” 48 were logged.
Phoenix 100s have occurred as early as March 26 (in 1988) and as late as Oct. 23 (2003).
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
