The citizens of Phoenix, Arizona, are well versed in the reality of living with blazing temperatures. But even in the US’s sunniest large city, which is located in the Sonoran Desert, the past few summers have been exceptional. 

This year, temperatures soared to 118F (47.8C) in Phoenix, a new August high. The year before, the city experienced a record-breaking 113 consecutive days of at least 100F, while the city’s hottest four summers on the books have all happened since 2020. 

“Traditionally our weather has been an enormous strength, but these summers have been extremely difficult. And they have gone on longer,” says Kate Gallego, the mayor of Phoenix, pointing out that last year the Halloween “pumpkins melted” as the searing heat stretched into October.