Tucson marks 109th day of triple-digit heat so far this year, a record

Tucson on Thursday set a new weather record: The most days of at least 100 degrees in a year.

Tucson reached 100 degrees just before 1:30 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service in Tucson said in a post on X.

That made for 109 days this year of at least 100 degrees.

The previous record: 108 triple digit highs here was set in 2020.

Thursday’s heat also broke the record for the hottest Oct. 10 here: 99 degrees, set in 1996.

While the Old Pueblo has a chance of reaching triple digits again Friday, it could be a slightly cooler weekend, the National Weather Service in Tucson says.

Tucson temperatures are expected to dip into the mid to low 90s.

“The end of next week could bring us closer to normal (temperatures),” said NWS meteorologist Julia Petrault.

But, what are “normal” temperatures?

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Temperatures at the beginning of October here generally hover at about 91-degrees, Petrault said.

By the end of October, conditions generally cool to about 81 degrees. Every three days during the month, temperatures should drop a degree, Petrault said.

The upcoming “cool down” will be most welcomed by residents who have been experiencing intense, record-breaking heat as of late.

A high pressure pattern is dominating the Tucson area, causing higher-than-typical temperatures, Petrault said.

“The high pressure is just sitting over us,” Petrault said.

The forecast for Friday and Saturday show temperatures jest below 100 degrees.

The highs are forecast to drop consistently from there. Sunday’s expected high is 98 degrees, followed by 96 degrees on Monday, 94 degrees on Tuesday and 92 degrees on Wednesday.

“We’re starting to see a pattern shift at the end of this week,” Petrault said.

While there’s a chance weekend temps could reach 100 degrees, triple-digit highs in Tucson are increasingly unlikely starting next week, the weather service said.