News Summary
Phoenix reached an alarming daily heat record of 114 degrees Fahrenheit, tying with a previous record set in 2019. Concurrently, thunderstorms brought much-needed rain but also caused significant power outages across the area. Meteorologists predict a continuation of storm activity in the coming days as temperatures are expected to persist until Sunday, posing challenges for residents. Safety measures are emphasized as the extreme weather impacts outdoor activities and increases health risks.
Phoenix Matches Daily Heat Record While Thunderstorms Bring Rain and Power Outages
Phoenix matched a daily heat record of 114 degrees Fahrenheit on August 21, 2025, tying the previous record set in 2019. This temperature was registered at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport around 3:15 p.m. The extreme heat warning for Metro Phoenix, initially scheduled to expire at 8 p.m. on Friday, has now been extended until Sunday.
In conjunction with the high temperatures, the Phoenix area experienced thunderstorms that brought much-needed rain after a dry spell since July 2. Meteorologists predict a 20-30% chance of monsoon storm activity in the coming days, as reported by the National Weather Service.
The thunderstorms on Thursday evening impacted various regions of the Valley, resulting in heavy rain and significant power outages across Maricopa County. At the height of the storm, over 20,000 customers lost power. Power outages were recorded with approximately 6,800 customers from Salt River Project and over 3,000 from Arizona Public Service affected as of 8 p.m. Thursday.
Rainfall and Thunderstorm Impact
Specific locations received notable amounts of rainfall during the thunderstorm. Gold Canyon registered 0.71 inches, Mesa received more than half an inch, Tempe saw 0.16 inches, and Ahwatukee measured 0.39 inches. At Phoenix Sky Harbor, only 0.04 inches of rain was recorded, marking the first measurable rainfall in the area since July.
Along with the rain, damaging winds were observed, with gusts nearing 70 mph around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday. A dust storm warning was also issued for the Phoenix area, indicating severe conditions characterized by low visibility and wind speeds exceeding 40 mph. The dust storm notably affected areas such as Glendale, Surprise, Avondale, Buckeye, and important routes including portions of Interstate 10 and U.S. 60, creating life-threatening travel risks.
Outlook and Safety Measures
The extreme heat warning continues to pose challenges for residents, particularly affecting outdoor activities and hiking trails. The high temperatures are expected to persist until at least Sunday night, with forecasts indicating a drop to approximately 101 degrees by Tuesday, and further cooling to the upper 90s by Wednesday and Thursday.
The return of strong storm activity is predicted for early next week as the high-pressure system that has contributed to the heat begins to weaken, offering fresh opportunities for rainfall across the Valley.
Residents are advised to remain alert for updates on weather conditions and follow safety guidelines, especially during extreme heat and storm events. The combination of high temperatures, thunderstorms, and dust storms presents significant health and safety risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.
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Additional Resources
- AZ Family: Extreme Heat Warning
- Wikipedia: Heat Wave
- AZ Central: Thunderstorm Warning
- Google Search: Thunderstorm Maricopa County
- Fox 10 Phoenix: Weather Forecast
- Google Scholar: Arizona Weather Forecast
- KTAR: Phoenix Matches Daily Heat Record
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Heat Record
- AZ Family: Monsoon Storm Damage
- Google News: Monsoon Storm Mesa
- AZ Family: Phoenix Sky Harbor Rain
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
