Phoenix experiences record-breaking heat
PHOENIX (NBC, KYMA) - Phoenix has had record-breaking heat and meteorologists are warning that the rising humidity is making already dangerous temperatures even harder on the body, especially for those spending time outdoors.
Friday marked Phoenix's hottest day of the year so far, and while many Valley residents are used to the heat, meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Phoenix said the added humidity is making it feel even hotter.
"When you have high relative humidity in the atmosphere, it makes the temperatures, the actual air temperature, feel a little bit hotter, and that is basically what's called the heat index," said Matt Salerno, a meteorologist.
Salerno explained this level of humidity is unusual for the valley.
"The dew points have climbed to about the upper 50s into the lower 60s right now, so that's pretty high for especially the Desert Southwest to see dew points rise even into the 60s," Salerno shared.
But even the heat couldn't keep everyone off the trails.
"I think we're going to push through and do it because we only got a couple days here, and we definitely want to see what we can do," said one hiker.
Lori Donaghy and her children are visiting from Pennsylvania. She said they knew the risks, which is why they waited until Echo Canyon reopened at 5 p.m.
"That's something we were considering all day, and we're trying to see if the temps could go down a little bit more," Donaghy explained. "But we also wanted to catch the sunset, you know, try and catch a view here and there."
Experts said the extra moisture in the air makes the heat even harder on the body.
"What we're still going to see like body temperatures rise very quickly...if you're outdoors for a prolonged period, and so you know, always recommend just taking frequent breaks if you can," Salerno spoke.
He says higher humidity makes sweat evaporate less efficiently, which makes it more difficult for your body to cool down.
"With the increase in humidity and moisture in the atmosphere, it actually prevents the body from sweating as much. Like when we actually have drier humidity, lower humidity, we sweat more efficiently," Salerno remarked. "So overall, it just the contribution is you know really not not great for the for the body."
