Coverage spread: 2 sources — 2 unrated
Lean ratings via AllSides / Media Bias-Fact-Check. How this works.
Where they agree
- An Extreme Heat Warning covers the Phoenix area through Friday, with highs in the 110-113°F range this week.
- The heat is tied to a high pressure system parked over the region, pushing temperatures near record levels.
- Some rain and storm chances are possible, mainly later in the week and mostly outside the immediate Phoenix metro.
- Outdoor workers face real health risks from the extended heat, prompting extra safety precautions.
Where they differ
- AZFamily focuses on the forecast details — specific highs, lows, humidity and rain timing — including that Monday marked the 30th day this year at 110°F or above.
- FOX 10’s reporting centers on how local businesses like 3A Automotive and Diesel Repair and Mullins Moving are protecting outdoor workers, citing named employees Kirk Templin and Antonio Fabrizi.
- FOX 10 adds public health context, citing Arizona Department of Health Services figures on heat-related ER visits, which AZFamily’s forecast-focused piece does not mention.
- AZFamily emphasizes a slightly longer outlook, noting First Alert Days through Sunday and a possible easing to 107°F by the following Monday, while FOX 10’s coverage stays focused on the current week’s near-record highs.
Phoenix is in the midst of a prolonged heat wave, with an Extreme Heat Warning in effect through Friday and highs reaching around 111 to 113 degrees this week. Local outlets say the region is on pace for its 30th day this year with temperatures at or above 110°F, and forecasters expect only slight relief by early next week, with a modest chance of rain returning by Thursday.
How hot is it and how long will it last?
According to AZFamily, highs Monday were expected to hit about 111°F, marking the 30th day of the year with triple digits at or above 110 degrees. Afternoon highs are forecast to stay between 110°F and 112°F through the weekend, with overnight lows offering little relief, staying near 90°F. AZFamily has issued First Alert Days through Sunday because of how long the heat is expected to persist. FOX 10 reports temperatures could climb as high as 113 degrees this week as high pressure parks over the region, pushing conditions close to record territory.
When might things cool down or bring rain?
AZFamily says temperatures may ease slightly to around 107°F by next Monday, though rising humidity will push dew points into the upper 50s and 60s from Wednesday onward, making the air feel muggier even as highs edge down. Southeast Arizona should see a few isolated storms Monday, with storm activity increasing in the state’s high country starting Wednesday and continuing through the weekend. In the Phoenix metro area, forecasters are watching for gusty outflow winds Wednesday evening, followed by a slight chance of rain Thursday evening into the overnight hours. FOX 10 similarly notes muggy conditions and “minor storm chances” accompanying the high heat this week.
How are outdoor workers coping with the heat?
FOX 10 spent time with two Phoenix-area businesses adjusting operations to protect employees who can’t avoid working outside or in hot conditions. At 3A Automotive and Diesel Repair, shop manager Kirk Templin said vehicle parts — especially brakes and engine components — trap heat, so crews let cars cool before touching them and sometimes wear gloves. The shop has installed ceiling-mounted coolers over each bay and given every technician a personal fan, along with a hydration station stocked with electrolyte packets and drinks like Liquid IV for workers sensitive to salt.
At Phoenix-based Mullins Moving, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner Antonio Fabrizi said hydration is the top priority for moving crews, with water, electrolytes and snacks provided every morning and afternoon. Crews take breaks every hour and rotate in and out of air-conditioned vehicles throughout the day. Fabrizi said if any worker shows signs of overheating, the company “stops the clock” to make sure that person is safe, hydrated, and gets help if needed.
Why does this matter beyond the forecast?
FOX 10 cites Arizona Department of Health Services data showing more than 4,200 people visited emergency rooms for heat-related illness last year, with more than 3% of those cases tied to work. That statistic underscores why local businesses are formalizing heat-safety protocols rather than leaving it to individual workers to manage. With the Extreme Heat Warning extending through Friday and highs staying in the 110-113 degree range for much of the week, the risk of heat illness remains elevated for anyone working or spending extended time outdoors in the Phoenix area.
Sources
- AZFamily
- FOX 10 Phoenix — Phoenix outdoor workers take heat precautions as dangerous temperatures return · Extreme summer heat makes Phoenix outdoor workers take extra precautions · Temperatures approach records as extreme heat warning remains
Featured photo: Photograph by Hngrange via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)