More record highs could be threatened through Saturday, but thankfully temperatures will drop slightly as thunderstorm coverage increases this weekend and early next week.

Yesterday we reached 112° again! Not only did it break 2009’s all-time high of 109 degrees, but Tucson tied it with the hottest day of the year so far. He also broke the record for the most days over 110 degrees in a year. The previous record was 10 days set in 1990 and 1994, and yesterday marked the 11th day this year. As temperatures continue to rise above 110 degrees here in Tucson, we could add two more days to this total.

This unprecedented heat poses the greatest threat to all of southeastern Arizona, so remember to drink plenty of water, check before you lock your doors, and limit your time outdoors to between 10am and 8pm. The excessive heat warning has been extended again and will expire at 10 p.m. Saturday. This includes all of Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Cochise, Graham and Greenlee counties, but not the Isles of Skye.

The only thing that will help the heat is the daily thunderstorms. Temperatures drop rapidly in areas where these occur, but temperatures vary from day to day. South and east of Tucson today, especially in southern Cochise County, will be a great opportunity. Strong to severe storms can occur in isolation, with wind damage, blown dust and localized heavy rains continuing to be the main threats. More areas of southeastern Arizona will be hit by storms this weekend as the storm spreads. Watch out for rainstorms!

• Today: Few PM storms (30%). High: 112° (record: 109° in 1989)
• Tonight: Partly stormy, but mostly cloudy (30%). Low: 81°
• Tomorrow: Few PM storms (30%). High: 111° (110° in 2006)