[joe bartels]

Number of days Phoenix Arizona temperature above 110 degrees
2011 - 32 and counting...
2007 - 32 days
2002 - 28 days

We are likely to hit another record and our first record for the month of September. If our temperatures do not drop below 90 degrees at Sky Harbor today, we will tie the overnight record of 90 degrees, set back in 2007 on this day.
With these extreme overnight temperatures and day time highs well above normal, our Excessive Heat Warning has been extended until 8 p.m. Friday.
Today will mark the 11th consecutive day under an Excessive Heat Warning, breaking the record of nine days set June 15-23, 2008.
This August is officially the hottest August of all time in Phoenix and the heat continues!
Our 110+ degree days continue. We have seen 31 days at or above 110 so far this year, well above the average of 18. The record is 32 days set back in 2007 and it looks like we will break that record by the end of the week with more 110+ days in the forecast.
We are also approaching the record of most lows at 85 degrees or warmer. That record is 51 set back in 1981. We have several more lows in the upper 80s in the forecast through the holiday weekend.

Sky Harbor Rainfall since Jan. 1: 2.62" (-2.64" from average)
Sky Harbor Rainfall since Oct 1: 4.36" (-3.01" from average)
2011 Valley Average (Phoenix Rainfall Index): 2.01" (-1.97" from average)

Read more: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... z1Wk5WKmSl

21st-century Arizona is about 2 degrees hotter than 20th-century Arizona...
metro Phoenix is about 10 to 15 degrees hotter than the surrounding rural areas...
In the 1950s, Phoenix averaged seven days a year over 110 degrees. In the 2000s, it’s 22.

for every degree the mercury rises, air conditioners use 2 to 3 percent more electricity, according to Arizona Public Service Co

...heat, which is the No. 1 weather-related killer in the country

if the world’s 100 largest cities lightened (the color of) all their roofs and pavements, it would offset 44 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions. That’s the equivalent of taking every car in the world off the road for 18 years

A U.S. Forest Service study found that planting trees in a parking lot decreased vehicle interior temps by 47 degrees.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... e0902.html
http://www.phoenixmag.com/lifestyle/val ... -island/2/

[coanbru]

Hmmm.

[te-wa]

did you see the green school in central Phx? the parking lot idea put into action: http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Cool ... 66534.html plus the roofs are bitchin' from an aerial view. makes we wanna purchase a plane ticket.. but then I am reminded of the irony of that action.. ha!

[Patrick L]

if the world’s 100 largest cities lightened (the color of) all their roofs and pavements, it would offset 44 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions. That’s the equivalent of taking every car in the world off the road for 18 years

That's such an incredible difference. Too bad it won't be happening anytime soon, if ever.

[mikehuber]

Yes, but now comes the very best time of the year. For the next 6 months, we'll have the most beautiful weather in the country.