The US city of Phoenix is experiencing one of the longest periods without rainfall. The last time it rained there was on August 22 last year. If the situation does not change in the coming days, the record from over 50 years ago will be broken.
Phoenix is located in the southwestern United States state of Arizona, which is famous for its desert areas and high average annual temperatures. In summer, thermometers there show an average of 35 degrees Celsius. However, even in such a warm and dry environment, the lack of rainfall for more than five months has raised concerns among residents and experts.
– This is a desert, so the lack of rain is not unusual, but it's been too long now. There is a drought here, says Katherine Berislavich from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix in an interview with the British “Guardian”.
Saturday marks exactly the 154th day since no rain fell in Arizona's largest city. It was last recorded on August 22, 2024. Thus, the 53-year-old record is at risk. In 1972, the state capital recorded 160 dry days.
Hazardous conditions
Experts emphasize that the drought in Phoenix creates dangerous conditions for the outbreak and development of fires. Concerns are intensified by the situation in California, neighboring Arizona, where the fight against the raging element has been ongoing since January 7. Due to the lack of water in the area, cacti wither, other plants die and water reservoirs dry up, which is a threat to the life of wild animals. Conditions in the U.S. Southwest range from abnormally dry to extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“We're facing the hottest year on record, and current drought conditions in Phoenix signal a convergence of natural seasonal weather patterns with the climate crisis,” said Brenda Ekwurzel of the nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists.
According to forecasts, there may be light rain next week.
Record after record
Last year, according to data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), was the hottest in history. Many records were broken in Phoenix in 2024, including the longest number of days with temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius, as well as the longest series of tropical nights.
– We broke all heat records last summer because there was little rain and no cloud cover to keep the temperature lower – explained Katherine Berislavich.
Experts fear that extreme conditions will increase in the coming years. This will be associated with an increased number of deaths caused by heat.
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