Phoenix faces early heat with possible mid-90s next week, chance for 100

PHOENIX — Daytime highs in the low 80s are the norm for the final week of March in the Valley of the Sun. But 90s? Maybe even an unseasonably early shot at 100? Not nearly as common.

“The large-scale weather trend shows a dry and unseasonably warm weather pattern setting up over the western U.S. this coming weekend and strengthening next week,” 12News meteorologist Chris Dunn said.

While triple-digit heat is possible next week, it’s a safer bet that Valley temperatures will max out in the mid-90s.

“‘Are you serious?’ and ‘Isn’t it too early for 100?'” Dunn said. “Those are the main reactions I’ve been hearing.”

Just because you asked, the earliest 100-degree reading in Phoenix happened on March 26, 1988. So yes, triple-digit heat HAS happened before in March.  

You may remember that about a month ago, Phoenix hit 90 degrees for the first time this year, the third earliest occurrence of 90 degrees in Phoenix.

By the way, the average date of our first 100-degree day is May 2, based on record-keeping data from 1991-2020.

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