Phoenix broke a 56-year-old temperature record on Dec. 15, reaching 81 degrees at 12:55 p.m. \u2014 just a day after shattering another record as an early-winter heat wave settled across Arizona.<\/p>\n
A high of 82 degrees at Sky Harbor International Airport on Sunday, Dec. 14, surpassed the previous 78-degree record from 2010. Temperatures were 81 degrees by midday Monday, topping the previous record of 79 degrees set in 1969. Forecasters said the official high could climb higher before the end of the day.<\/p>\n
December is usually when Phoenix finally starts to cool off. But afternoon highs are creeping back into the low 80s as a stubborn high-pressure system over the region refuses to budge.<\/p>\n
The twin records are part of a broader December heat wave gripping Arizona and the Southwest, with temperatures running about 10 to 20 degrees above normal for this time of year.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot much has changed since last week. We\u2019re still experiencing well above average temperatures,\u201d said Matt Salerno, a lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix. \u201cFor this time of year, we should be seeing highs in the mid-60s and lows in the mid-40s.\u201d<\/p>\n
While more records are less likely for the rest of the week, the warmth isn\u2019t going anywhere. Temperatures will continue to linger in the upper 70s and low 80s for the remainder of the week and into the weekend.<\/p>\n
The unusually warm stretch is being driven by a strong ridge of high pressure parked over the western U.S., keeping skies mostly clear and rain chances near zero.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to be a slow pattern to change,\u201d Salerno said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to be seeing this anomalously strong ridge of high pressure over the rest of the week and into the weekend. We\u2019re going to be maintaining this stagnant pattern.\u201d<\/p>\n
Will there be cooler weather for Christmas?<\/p>\n
But looking further ahead, forecasters are eyeing a possible shift around Christmas. A trough of low pressure is developing off the West Coast, which could bring cooler temperatures and more cloud cover to Arizona.<\/p>\n
Temperatures could cool slightly and trend closer to seasonal normals.<\/p>\n
Even in December, forecasters say the warmth is worth taking seriously, especially for visitors coming from colder climates.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are traveling into town for the upcoming holidays, just be mindful if you\u2019re going to be out in the middle of the day,\u201d Salerno said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a bit warmer and drier than they\u2019re used to, especially if you\u2019re coming from the northern states.\u201d<\/p>\n
For now, Phoenix\u2019s December feels more like October, and residents could be in for a warm and sunny holiday.<\/p>\n
Hayleigh Evans writes about extreme weather and related topics for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com<\/a>. Email her with story tips at hayleigh.evans@arizonarepublic.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n