As Arizona swelters through its hottest summer on record, there's more bad news ahead

Phoenix, Arizona: The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that this summer has been the hottest on record in Arizona’s history. According to the NWS, average temperature records were shattered across Arizona, with this summer surpassing even last year’s extreme heat.

The National Weather Service stated that Phoenix's average temperature for June, July, and August reached a scorching 98.9F, eclipsing last summer's record of 97 degrees.

The intense heat wasn't limited to Phoenix. Other cities across the state, including Yuma, Kingman, Winslow, and Douglas, also reported their hottest summers on record. A strong high-pressure system in the middle atmosphere, which settled over Arizona and drove the extreme temperatures.

Looking ahead, the team at the NWS is warning of even more heat as the week progresses. A large low-pressure area approaching Northern California is expected to push temperatures in Arizona back up to the 113-114F range, dangerously close to record highs for this time of year. The excessive heat is predicted to peak midweek.

The NWS team also anticipates that Arizona will likely break another record soon—the record of 55 days with temperatures reaching 110F or more.