rjzimmerman:

In a first, Phoenix hits 100 straight days of 100-degree heat. (Washington Post)

Excerpt from this story from the Washington Post:

Summers in Phoenix are notoriously hot. But after two punishing summers of record-breaking heat, the latest milestone, set Tuesday, may be the most ominous yet.

At 11 a.m. local time, temperatures in Phoenix hit 100 degrees for the 100th day in a row. The longest previous 100-degree streak was 76 days in 1993. In other words, this year has seen an uninterrupted stretch of 100-degrees days at least 3½ weeks longer than in any other year since records began in 1896.

The relentless heat is testing the will of Phoenix residents. While accustomed to hot summers, many have never endured anything like this. And the heat has proved dangerous for vulnerable groups such as outdoor workers and unhoused populations.

“This is the hottest one I’ve been in,” said Ron Wishon, 55, pushing a bicycle with a flat rear tire through downtown Phoenix.

Last year, heat deaths increased 50 percent from 2022, reaching a record of 645 people in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix. This year, 150 heat deaths have been confirmed by the government and an additional 440 deaths are under investigation.

The streak, which began on May 27 with a high of 102, shows no sign of ending. In fact, the forecast calls for the heat to escalate this week. An excessive-heat warning will be in effect Wednesday through Friday, when highs are expected to approach 110. Long-range forecast models suggest that highs could reach the century mark or more for two more weeks.