The 5th largest city in the US, Phoenix, is close to breaking an extreme record as drought conditions persist across the state. There had been no recorded rainfall in the city as of Saturday – for a brutal 154 days in a series.
The longest dry spell on record had been set in 1972 at 160 days. The current circumstances, intensified by the climate crisis and La Nina conditions, could easily force Phoenix to break its record real soon. This is concerning.
Drought conditions increase the risk of fires and crop failures and threaten the natural resources relied upon by animals. Phoenix is a dry desert city. But the annual precipitation has been less than average for the last six years.
