Arizona Braces for Record-Breaking Summer Heat

Arizona is heating up way ahead of schedule. If, like me, you’ve forgotten where you left your car’s window ice scraper, you’re not imagining things: this February is shaping up to be one for the record books.

I live in Cochise County, where we usually get at least a few days of snow, ice, and cold, but this year, it hasn’t happened.

Read More: A New Weather Pattern Headed to Cochise County

What’s Behind Arizona’s Summer‑Like February?

Cochise County isn’t the only place that’s been unseasonably hot this year. Phoenix has already tied its record for the hottest February on record. Maricopa County clocked an average temperature of 66°F. That’s about 6 degrees above normal.

It’s not just Phoenix: most locations across Arizona, like Show Low, Tucson, and Winslow, have broken or tied their February heat records this year, according to data being tracked by ASU.

READ MORE: Extreme Heat, Climate Change Killing Arizona's Saguaro

So what’s driving the early heat? Meteorologists with NOAA point to a strong ridge of high pressure parked over the Southwest. This pattern suppresses cloud cover, dries out the atmosphere, and lets temperatures soar into the upper 80s. Some parts of Phoenix are even flirting with 90°F days.

The Weather Channel warns that temperatures in the mid‑80s in February are “not normal, even in Phoenix.” The warming trend is expected to continue.

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How This Heat Fits Into A Bigger Climate Pattern

NOAA climate data shows Arizona has been trending hotter and drier overall, with 2024 ranking as Phoenix’s hottest year on record.

If you’re a skier or snowboarder, the news is not good. Snowpack across areas that typically experience colder weather in Arizona is also well below average. This, scientists say, is a sign of the state’s long‑term warming and drying trend.

READ MORE: Climate Change? Phoenix Sets New Record for 100 Degree Days

What This Means For The Summer Ahead

If you’re beginning to get nervous about the upcoming Arizona summer, the National Weather Service isn’t sugar‑coating it: above‑normal temperatures are probably going to continue into spring and summer across Arizona.

In other words, brace yourself. Right now, February feels like June. So, what will June be like? If the trend continues, it may feel like a whole different planet, a planet positioned very close to the sun.