An extreme heat warning goes into effect on Thursday, as Tucson prepares for its first 100-degree-day of the year.
Dalton van Stratten, meteorologist with the National Weather Service says this is the first time that Tucson has reached 100 degrees in March.
“The earliest 100-degree day was April of last year,” he said.
The extreme heat warning says hot temperatures ranging from 95 to 108 degrees will be seen across southern Arizona as well as central parts of the state.
“This kind of heat or this early does impact everybody, not just heat-sensitive individuals,” van Stratten said.
As a way to prepare for the heat, the Service advises to avoid outdoor activities between the hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during peak heat hours, drinking plenty of water, wearing light colored and light weight clothing and to never leave a child or pet in the car for any period of time.
The highest temperature that’s been recorded for March in Tucson is 99 degrees – which was recorded in 1988, van Stratten said.
“We usually see waves like this set up over the summertime which helps drive our monsoonal circulation pattern. But this one is very early so that’s kind of the trend to get these anomalies in the shoulder seasons,” he said, noting that it’s still too soon to tell if Tucson will get an early monsoon.
Tucson also broke records this past February – reaching 89 degrees. The highest temperature that’s been recorded for that month was 92 degrees, in 1957.
