Sorry, Tucson. Can't avoid it forever.
Any day now - maybe even today - we'll hit the 100-degree mark for the first time in 2013. After that, there's nothing to do but drink lots of water and sweat it out until autumn.
In case you're counting, Tucson averages 62 days of temperatures at or above 100 degrees, although in 1994 that number nearly hit triple digits itself, at 99 days. The year with the fewest days at 100 or hotter was 1967, with a mere 21 days of triple-digit heat.
Just be thankful it's not 1989. That year Tucson saw the earliest date on record for a 100-degree temp: April 19.
With any luck - and a whole lot of finger crossing - maybe we can get closer to the 1905 record for latest occurrence of a 100-degree day: June 22.
Kimberly Matas
Triple digits: A historical perspective
β’ This year: forecast for today
β’ Last year: April 22
β’ Earliest: April 19, 1989
β’ Latest: June 22, 1905
β’ Average: May 26*
* Since 1895
39 days
Longest consecutive streak of 100-degree days. Twice:
β’ 2005 - June 14-July 22
β’ 1987 - June 6-July 14
117 degrees
Record high: June 26, 1990
6 degrees
Record low: Jan. 7, 1913
Source: National Weather Service
