A town of 5,200 residents right on the California border along Route 66 now holds a scorching new record: the highest average monthly temperature in the country.
According to the Arizona State Climate Office, the average temperature in Needles in July was 103.2 degrees, which surpassed Phoenix's highest average temperature of 102.7 degrees last July. In a post on X, the department gave the unfortunate title to Needles.
The post also referenced two other cities, Palm Springs and Blythe, welcoming them into the club of cities with average temperatures in the triple digits for an entire month.
“Welcome?” the post read.
Needles Mayor Jan Jernigan wasn't surprised by her city's achievement, saying, “We probably did it.” [beat the record]very easily.”
Heat is part of the city’s culture. When City Hall hosts meetings, it offers guests a basket of Red Hots with a sign that says, “Needles is Red Hot,” Jernigan said.
Hot weather is ingrained in Needles culture. City officials offer Red Hots at public meetings, with a sign reading “Needles is Red Hot.”
(Courtesy of Jan Jernigan)
Needles has learned to hold events around town early in the morning to avoid the worst of the heat, Jernigan said. A food distribution event this morning started around 5 a.m. and lasted only until 8 a.m., she said, before temperatures became oppressive.
The city, also known for references in the “Peanuts” comics as the home of Snoopy’s brother Spike, still draws tourists and residents alike to its three beaches on the Colorado River, where they can try to beat the summer heat, said City Manager Patrick Martinez. The city has spent $8.4 million on grants to improve infrastructure, including upgrading parks, he said.
“Have [got to] “Being waist-deep in the Colorado River” to stay cool in Needles, he said.
In late June, the region’s intense heat was partly responsible for a rare wildfire that broke out near Needles, burning 70 acres and destroying a structure. The fire crossed into Arizona and burned 143 acres there. Martinez said infrastructure improvements including beach cleanups will help reduce the risk of future wildfires, especially during a wildfire-prone summer. This year’s warm weather has contributed to fires burning 30 times more acres statewide than last year.
To combat the heat, the city has a senior center that provides water and a cool place for people to gather. It is equipped with a generator and can be opened during an emergency if power outages put residents in danger of overheating, Martinez said.
Jernigan said the latest improvements to Needles’ infrastructure aren’t the end of the story. “We still have a long way to go,” he said.
