Unprecedented Heat Wave Expected to Hit Maricopa Today

Temperatures in Maricopa are significantly higher this week, showing a 15-degree increase compared to the same period last year.

This trend is not merely a perception. Meteorologist Sean Benedict from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix noted that temperatures in Maricopa are trailing closely behind those observed at Sky Harbor International Airport, where a record-breaking temperature of 81 degrees is anticipated.

Due to a lack of historical data for Maricopa, NWS relies on recent temperature trends to make comparisons. “Last year’s temperatures were in the mid 60s,” Benedict stated, indicating that such conditions are typically more representative of Maricopa’s weather.

The current conditions result from a high-pressure system situated over Arizona, which is creating a warmer-than-average climate across the state. Benedict explained that a “rex block pattern” is responsible for trapping these high temperatures, pushing the jet stream northward and allowing cooler air to settle in areas north of Arizona.

Forecasts suggest that high temperatures in Maricopa will remain in the mid to high 70s through Sunday. Afterward, more typical weather patterns are expected, with temperatures returning to the low 60s, aligning with historical norms.