Phoenix Gets More Problem as Intense Heat, Drought Continues

A sweltering and brutal heat wave is gripping Phoenix and other parts of Arizona, with a full-on drought also devastating the state. A widespread heatwave has spread throughout the Southwest, and it is reaching record highs.

According to CNN, this is now the "driest start to summer" for Phoenix. This comes after the city did not have any measurable rainfall on Monday, a new record in what was supposed to be the start of the region's monsoon.

This shows a much bigger problem in the Southwest, a mostly-desert region that relies on the monsoon, seasonal shifts in wind direction that transports moisture into the region for much of its rain. Around 40% to 75% of the city's annual rainfall comes from the monsoon.

This lack of rainfall during a time when it was supposed to rain a lot is only enhancing the heat in Arizona, too. It was noted that parts of Phoenix did see some rain in July but did not fall at the city's official reporting station, meaning it was not counted in the city's records.

Only 30 to 40% of the Phoenix metro area experienced that July rainfall, which was described as light. It only amounted to between 0.1 to 0.2 inches across the two days. Since then, the city's rainfall woes have only been growing.

Phoenix Heat Is Withering Plants Around the City

The punishing heat is not just affecting people but also plants and animals. The heatwave has taken its toll on the flora and fauna around the city, even though these plants and animals are supposed to be used to the usually hot conditions of Arizona.

According to Fronteras Desk, the iconic saguaros of the Sonoran Desert are starting to fall over because of the heat. Meanwhile, trees around Phoenix are also showing that their leaves have been scorched. Succulents are also showing black burn marks, while bushes are shriveling up all over the Phoenix area.

Melanie Tluczek, the director of science and education at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in Scottsdale, Arizona spoke to Fronteras and stated that there is evidence of stress in the desert area. However, the Saguaro cacti outside of the Phoenix heat dome do seem to be OK and are not falling over as they are in the city.

Extreme Phoenix Heat Might Also Affect Newcomers Moving Into the City

Phoenix is attracting many new residents, as seen by the 2020 US Census, with around 200,000 people moving into Maricopa County, where Phoenix is, and is also Arizona's most populous area. With this scorching Phoenix heat wave, however, many of these new residents might not be able to cope.

Axios spoke with some of these new Arizona residents, with one new resident, Rosa A., who moved from California, admitting that the heat was more than she expected and did not appreciate how extreme it is. Meanwhile, Anna B., who moved from Maine, said she was shocked and described the experience as "walking into an oven ... and never getting out."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Heat Diaries: What it's like living through Phoenix's historic heat wave - PBS NewsHour