West Bakes with Unseasonably Hot Temperatures Across Phoenix, Los Angeles, and More

Posted: October 17, 2023 1:50 pm

The heat will simply not let up in the Desert Southwest and West Coast. Some daily high records may be in jeopardy of falling this week as the mercury continues to climb into the triple digits in Phoenix and beyond. How hot will it get and when will this weather pattern break? Here are the details.

Records Fall in Phoenix as Heat Lingers

It was an exceptionally hot September in the Southwest and those temperatures are holding through October. This wave of unseasonable heat will put some daily high records in jeopardy of falling in many cities and towns across the region.

The heat is the result of a stubborn area of high pressure taking hold across the western U.S. While the peak temperatures will hit California on Thursday, the heat will hang on through at least Friday in the interior portions of the West.

It will be a great day to hit the beach in the Los Angeles area on Thursday with a forecast high of about 90 degrees. This reading is about 15 degrees above the norm for the middle of October in the City of Angels.

Normally mild San Francisco will see the mercury settle at about 85 degrees on Thursday, also a significant departure from normal. Local officials are warning residents to take caution when spending time outside due to the higher risk of heat-related illnesses.

As is typical, Phoenix will see the brunt of this heat. The Valley of the Sun hit a high of 105 degrees on Monday, breaking the daily record for this date in history. The reading also was good enough to take the crown of the latest time of the year when the temperature reached at least 104 degrees.

These readings of at least 100 degrees are forecast to stick around through Saturday, potentially breaking more records along the way. For instance, Tuesday’s forecast high of 103 degrees would break the current record of 102 degrees should it come to fruition. This record was set back in 2009.

Should the temperatures continue to break the century mark through Saturday, Phoenix will end up with 134 days in 2023 that hit this benchmark. The record of 145 total days at this level or higher was set in 2020.

There is also the chance that Phoenix could break the October record for the most days of 100 degrees of higher. The current record sits at 15 total days, set in 1991. After reaching this level on Monday, the city has now recorded seven days at this threshold this month.

When Will Relief from the Heat Arrive?

You are in luck if you are ready for this heat to break. The long-range forecast is calling for a pattern change by next week, bringing the unseasonable heat to an end. This relief will come as the jet stream dips to the south across the western third of the U.S.. The dip will filter in cooler air from Canada, helping to nudge the temperatures in a downward trajectory across the region.

For instance, Phoenix is forecast to fall into the 90s by Sunday with temperatures dropping into the 80s to start the new work week. The mercury could fall as low as the upper 70s on Wednesday with the possibility of rain showers in the forecast.

Similarly, temperatures will return to the 70s in Los Angeles by the end of the weekend. This weather pattern is more indicative of what you would expect to see at this time in October.

This cooler air may even be significant enough to bring meaningful snow to the Sierra Nevada and the other high elevations of the West. Stay tuned as this forecast becomes more clear.

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