More 'excessive heat' headed to Tucson Tuesday

Tucson's quick breather from last week’s record-high temperatures, is over. Residents must prepare for the next heat wave about to hit the city starting Tuesday, according to an excessive heat watch by the National Weather Service.

The weekend saw reduced temperatures — 105 degrees on Saturday and 102 high on Sunday — in comparison to Thursday and Friday.

However, Tuesday is expected to get up to 107.

The especially hot days are supposed to take place Tuesday through Thursday in most places across southeastern Arizona, according to the weather service, which posted, “Moderate to High Heat Risk due to hot temperatures ranging 100 to 110 degrees with little relief of morning temperatures.”

“On Wednesday, we’re looking for 108 degrees and 109 degrees on Thursday,” said Gary Zell, a meteorologist with weather service in Tucson. “So, very similar temperatures to what we just experienced with our excessive heat warning last week. In fact, the weather pattern’s almost identical.”

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Since temperatures here are officially recorded at the Tucson airport, the temperatures could be two degrees warmer in parts of the city and a degree or two cooler in the foothills up in Oro Valley or Catalina, Zell said.

Last week, the Tucson area saw a high of 105 on Wednesday, the first 105 of the year. That was followed by 108 on Thursday and 109 on Friday.

June and July usually see about 10 days of 105 degrees or higher weather, according to meteorologist Dalton Van-Stratten with local weather service. The Climate Prediction Center has predicted above normal temperatures for June this year.

Last year, June had seven days of 105 degrees or higher, while July had 29. This year in June so far, Tucson has had four days of 105 or higher.

As for precipitation chances, there is a 10 to 15% chance of dry thunderstorms Thursday and Friday along the New Mexico border, which would include lightning strikes and gusty winds and sprinkles, Zell said.

It’ll be just enough moisture for lightning and winds but not any precipitation, he said.