PHOENIX — The recent December heat persisted on Sunday in metro Phoenix, as the area broke another daily record high temperature on the first day of winter.
The previous heat record of 79 degrees for Dec. 21 was eclipsed around 2 p.m. when the mercury at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which the National Weather Service uses for official readings, crept up to 80.
The old daily record only held its title for a short time having been set in 2024, which is nothing compared to the 83-year-old heat record the Valley broke on Monday.
December usually has high temperatures in the mid-to-low 60s.
Since temperatures were first recorded by NWS, Dec. 21 has averaged a high of 65 and low of 44. Sunday’s low of 52 will not be made official until midnight.
Phoenix also previously set a daily high temperature last Sunday.
Possible rainy Christmas coming to Phoenix following heat wave
Though Monday’s high temperature is also expected to break the daily record by two degrees at 81 (79 in 1917), rain showers are forecasted to begin Tuesday and go through Christmas Day.
Chance for precipitation starts on Tuesday night at 50%, and though the percentage dips to 40% during the daytime on Wednesday, it will increase to 80% on Christmas Eve night and remain that high through Christmas.
The highs for Christmas Eve and Christmas on Phoenix are still projected to be 75 and 73, respectively, with lows around 60 degrees.
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