Stay Indoors! Dangerous Arizona Heat Alert Issued as Phoenix Boils Under 117°F Sun

PHOENIX, AZ — If you’ve stepped outside in Phoenix this week, you know it’s no ordinary heatwave. This is an Arizona Heat Alert you can feel the second you open your door. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for the region through 8 PM Friday, with temperatures expected to soar as high as 117°F. It’s not just hot—it’s dangerously hot.

And while extreme heat is nothing new for the Valley, this stretch is one of the most intense we’ve seen in recent years. The heat is relentless, pushing up pavement temperatures and testing the limits of even the toughest Arizonans.

Arizona Heat Alert: Why This Week Is Especially Dangerous

This Arizona Heat Alert isn’t just another summer nuisance—it’s a public safety emergency. People who live without reliable air conditioning, older adults, outdoor workers, and kids are all especially vulnerable. Local hospitals typically see a spike in emergency visits during periods like this, often from heat exhaustion or, worse, heat stroke.

Health experts are urging everyone to avoid outdoor activity between 11 AM and 6 PM, drink water constantly, and use local cooling centers if needed. You can call 2-1-1 or check maricopa.gov/heat for free access to shelters, cold water, and transportation help.

Even brief exposure to this level of heat can make you dizzy or sick—and in the most serious cases, it can be fatal. Cars heat up fast. Sidewalks and playground equipment can burn skin. Everyone, especially parents and caretakers, needs to stay alert.

Real Lives, Real Impact

Local businesses are letting employees leave early. Delivery drivers are packing coolers with ice water. And families across Maricopa County are trying to keep kids and pets indoors. This heat isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s disrupting daily life. For many people, it’s scary.

Officials are reminding people to look out for one another. Call your grandparents. Text your neighbors. If you see someone struggling, step in or call for help.

What Comes Next?

Temperatures are expected to ease slightly after Friday—but we’re not out of the woods. Highs will still hover around 110°F this weekend, with only minor relief in sight. This is a pattern that could repeat itself through much of the summer.

So while this Arizona Heat Alert might end by Friday night, the reality of longer, harsher heatwaves is something Phoenix and other desert cities are learning to live with.

FAQ About Arizona Heat Alert

1. Why is this heat wave such a big deal?
This isn’t your average Arizona summer heat. Phoenix is expected to hit 117°F, and that’s hot enough to be dangerous for just about anyone. That’s why this Arizona Heat Alert was issued—to warn people that even a few minutes outside could lead to serious health issues. It’s not just uncomfortable—it can be life-threatening.

2. Who really needs to be extra careful right now?
Honestly, everyone should be cautious, but it’s especially serious for older adults, young kids, people with health conditions, and folks who work outside. And if you don’t have air conditioning, this kind of heat can become overwhelming very quickly. If you’re checking in on anyone today, start with those groups.

3. How do I know if someone’s getting sick from the heat?
Heat illness can sneak up fast. If you or someone around you starts feeling dizzy, weak, or nauseous, it could be heat exhaustion. If they stop sweating and seem confused, or worse, lose consciousness, it might be heat stroke, and that’s an emergency—call 911 right away and do whatever you can to cool them down.

4. What can I do to protect myself during this heat alert?
First, stay indoors if you can—especially during the hottest hours between 11 AM and 6 PM. Keep drinking water throughout the day, even if you’re not thirsty. If you do need to go outside, wear light-colored clothes, use sunscreen, take it slow, and try to stay in the shade.

5. I don’t have AC—are there places I can go to cool off?
Yes, absolutely. Maricopa County has set up free cooling centers where you can sit in the air conditioning and get cold water. You can call 2-1-1 or go to maricopa.gov/heat to find a nearby location. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the heat, please don’t wait—these places are there to help.