Catherine Reagor, Arizona Republic
Mon, May 11, 2026 at 6:15 PM UTC
Scorching Phoenix-area heat nears record as hiking trails shut down
Metro Phoenix was teetering on setting a heat record on May 11 with a forecast of 109 degrees.
That’s very close to the current record of 110 degrees set on May 11 in 1934.
The Valley’s heat was expected to be “a bit short of record territory,” said meteorologist Mark O’Malley from the National Weather Service office in Phoenix.
He said the forecast is for a Phoenix-area heat warning through the evening of May 12, but temperatures were expected to cool later this week.
The city of Phoenix closed several hiking trails on May 10 due to heat forecasts, and these popular trails will remain closed through May 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Camelback Mountain Preserve: Cholla and Echo Canyon trails
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Phoenix Mountains Preserve: Piestewa Peak Summit Trail and associated trails
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South Mountain Park and Preserve: Hau’pal Loop Trail, Holbert Trail, Mormon Trail and access to the National Trail from the Pima Canyon Trailhead
“Pay attention to the closures. Try to respect it. It’s really to keep you safe. It’s also to keep first responders and firefighters safe,” Phoenix Fire Department Capt. Mike Johnson said.
Valley temperatures are usually in the 90s during this time of the year, according to the weather service.
The Valley’s temperature is expected to dip on May 12 to 107 degrees and then gradually fall to 98 on Thursday, the weather service said.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix could hit heat record, then cool down this week