‘Brutal’: Record-setting heat wave hits Arizona in the first week of June

PHOENIX (AZFamily/AP) — Phoenix set a record high temperature on Thursday, followed by a record high low temperature on Friday.

“When we see those maximum numbers happening more frequently we do need to pay attention to that because that means it can happen again,” said Arizona State Climatologist Erinanne Saffell.

Since Arizona began measuring temperatures in 1895, Saffell says the average temperature has risen about 2.5 degrees.

A study published this week found that the earth is warming at a record rate.

The group of 57 scientists from around the world used United Nations-approved methods to examine what’s behind last year’s deadly burst of heat.

They said even with a faster warming rate, they don’t see evidence of significant acceleration in human-caused climate change beyond increased fossil fuel burning.

The start to June for Phoenix this year was the third hottest in recorded history.

“It feels like it’s getting a lot hotter, a lot hotter than last year,” said Gabriel, an Arizona native.

As for what’s expected for the whole summer? Soffell actually has some good news.

“It’s going to be hot, but I don’t expect it to be as hot as it was last July for example when we were breaking records all over the place,” she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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