<
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/13/death-toll-extreme-heat-arizona-county>
"More than 400 people are suspected to have died from extreme heat in Maricopa
county, Arizona, so far this summer, according to official figures, as the
brutal current heatwave enters its 12th day.
August is on track to be the hottest on record, with temperatures hitting at
least 110F (43C) every day apart from one so far. As of 11 August, at least
three daily records had been broken including an all-time monthly high of 118F
(48C), as well as several night-time record temperatures, according to Isaac
Smith, meteorologist at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix.
The current extreme heat warning issued by the NWS is the fourth and longest of
the summer thus far, and will extend at least through Wednesday night with
temperatures forecast to hit 110F. Increased cloud cover and possible
thunderstorms will then bring a brief respite towards the weekend but another
very hot spell is forecast by the start of next week.
Maricopa county is home to Phoenix, the fifth largest and hottest major US
city, as well as several smaller urban hubs dotted amid the Sonora desert
including Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa.
Midway through the hot season, the current official death count – including
suspected and confirmed heat-related fatalities – is about 30% lower than this
time last year, the second deadliest on record.
In 2025, the county medical examiner’s office has so far confirmed only 35 heat
deaths – 17 directly caused by exposure to high temperatures, and 18 cases
where heat contributed to the fatality, including by exacerbating chronic
medical conditions or the effects of alcohol or methamphetamine. Another 369
suspected heat-related deaths remain under investigation, according to the
county’s heat surveillance dashboard which is updated weekly.
June and July were a little cooler than recent years, despite topping 115F on
multiple days, which at least partially explains the lower death toll. Improved
access and extended hours at city cooling centres may also be playing a role,
according to Dr Nick Staab, the county’s chief medical officer. First
responders and hospitals have reportedly gotten better at treating heatstroke
and other temperature-related emergencies.
Yet despite the encouraging numbers, Maricopa county is still on track to be
the deadliest place for heat in the US after New York City, the country’s
largest metropolis, where heat contributes to 525 deaths on average each year."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
