Phoenix, Arizona

==Geography==
[[File:Phoenix by Sentinel-2, 2020-09-09.jpg|alt=A photo taken from space of the Phoenix Area|thumb|Sentinel-2 satellite image of the Phoenix metro area in 2020]]

Phoenix is in the south-central portion of Arizona; about halfway between [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]] to the southeast and [[Flagstaff, Arizona|Flagstaff]] to the north, in the [[southwestern United States]]. By car, the city is approximately {{convert|150|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} north of the US–Mexico border at [[Sonoyta]] and {{convert|180|mi|abbr=on}} north of the border at [[Nogales, Arizona|Nogales]]. The metropolitan area is known as the "Valley of the Sun" due to its location in the Salt River Valley.<ref name=Valley101 /> It lies at a mean elevation of 1,086 feet (331 m), in the northern reaches of the [[Sonoran Desert]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=136:3:0::NO:3:P3_FID,P3_TITLE:44784,Phoenix |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |title=Feature Detail Report for: Phoenix |access-date=March 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109063347/http://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=136:3:0::NO:3:P3_FID,P3_TITLE:44784,Phoenix |archive-date=January 9, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Other than the mountains in and around the city, Phoenix's topography is generally flat, which allows the city's main streets to run on a precise grid with wide, open-spaced roadways. Scattered, low mountain ranges surround the valley: [[McDowell Mountains]] to the northeast, the [[White Tank Mountains]] to the west, the [[Superstition Mountains]] far to the east, and both [[South Mountains (Arizona)|South Mountain]] and the [[Sierra Estrella]] to the south/southwest. [[Camelback Mountain]], North Mountain, [[Sunnyslope Mountain]], and [[Piestewa Peak]] are within the heart of the valley. The city's outskirts have large fields of irrigated cropland and Native American reservation lands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.summitpost.org/phoenix-mountains-and-neighboring-ranges/285171 |title=Phoenix Mountain Overview |publisher=summitpost.org |access-date=March 5, 2014}}</ref> The Salt River runs westward through Phoenix, but the riverbed is often dry or contains little water due to large irrigation diversions. South Mountain separates the community of [[Ahwatukee]] from the rest of the city.
[[File:231209-2 Ahwatukee and South Mountain.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of [[Ahwatukee, Phoenix|Ahwatukee]] neighborhoods and the [[South Mountains (Arizona)|South Mountains]]]]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of {{cvt|517.9|sqmi}}, of which {{cvt|516.7|sqmi}} is land and {{cvt|1.2|sqmi}}, or 0.2%, is water.

[[Maricopa County, Arizona#Demographics|Maricopa County]] grew by 711% from 186,000 in 1940 to 1,509,000 by 1980, due in part to air conditioning, cheap housing, and an influx of retirees. The once "modest urban sprawl" now "grew by 'epic' proportions—not only a myriad of residential tract developments on both farmland and desert." Retail outlets and office complexes spread out and did not concentrate in the small downtown area. There was low population density and a lack of widespread and significant high-rise development.<ref>James W. Elmore (1985). ''A Guide to the architecture of Metro Phoenix''. p. 20.</ref> As a consequence Phoenix became a textbook case of [[urban sprawl]] for geographers.<ref>Paul M. Torrens, "Simulating sprawl." Annals of the Association of American Geographers 96.2 (2006): 248–275.</ref><ref>Carol E. Heim, "Leapfrogging, urban sprawl, and growth management: Phoenix, 1950–2000." ''American Journal of Economics and Sociology'' 60.1 (2001): 245–283.</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 15, 1999 |title=A hydra in the desert |url=https://www.economist.com/united-states/1999/07/15/a-hydra-in-the-desert |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Walters |first=Joanna |date=March 20, 2018 |title=Plight of Phoenix: how long can the world's 'least sustainable' city survive? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/mar/20/phoenix-least-sustainable-city-survive-water |work=The Guardian |access-date=February 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=White |first=Kaila |date=October 6, 2016 |title='Onion' article mocks Phoenix's suburban sprawl |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2016/10/06/onion-article-mocks-phoenix-suburban-sprawl/91677190/ |work=Arizona Republic |access-date=February 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Egan |first=Timothy |author-link=Timothy Egan |date=December 29, 1996 |title=Urban Sprawl Strains Western States |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/29/us/urban-sprawl-strains-western-states.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> Even though it is the fifth most populated city in the United States, the large area gives it a low density rate of approximately 2,797 people per square mile.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/04/0455000.html |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |title=Phoenix (city) QuickFacts |access-date=March 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521120746/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/04/0455000.html |archive-date=May 21, 2012 }}</ref> In comparison, [[Philadelphia]], the sixth most populous city with nearly the same population as Phoenix, has a density of over 11,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42101.html |title=Philadelphia (city) Quickfacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=March 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624025704/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42101.html |archive-date=June 24, 2011 }}</ref>

Like most of Arizona, Phoenix does not observe [[daylight saving time]]. In 1973, Governor [[Jack Williams (American politician)|Jack Williams]] argued to the U.S. Congress that energy use would increase in the evening should Arizona observe DST. He went on to say energy use would also rise early in the day "because there would be more lights on in the early morning." Additionally, he said daylight saving time would cause children to go to school in the dark.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/75798 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929111247/http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/75798 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |title=Arizona does not need daylight saving time|journal=Arizona Daily Star |date=May 19, 2005 |access-date=June 19, 2012}}</ref>

===Cityscape===
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in Phoenix}}

{{wide image|Downtown_PHX_Panorama.jpg|1000px|alt=aerial view of the Phoenix skyline, showing the tall buildings of downtown Phoenix to the left of the photo, mountains in the background, the flatness of the rest of the city, with Sky Harbor airport |align-cap=center|A panoramic view of Phoenix from the South Mountain range, winter 2008, with Sky Harbor International Airport on the far right}}

====Neighborhoods====
[[File:Phoenix Urban Villages.svg|thumb|alt=a graphic representation showing how Phoenix is broken up into 15 urban villages|Map of the urban villages of Phoenix]]

Since 1979, the city of Phoenix has been divided into [[urban village]]s, many of which are based upon historically significant neighborhoods and communities that have since been annexed into Phoenix.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phoenix.gov/pdd/pz/village-planning-committees |publisher=City of Phoenix |title=Village Planning Committees |access-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325080714/https://www.phoenix.gov/pdd/pz/village-planning-committees |archive-date=March 25, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Each village has a planning committee appointed directly by the city council. According to the city-issued village planning handbook, the purpose of the village planning committees is to "work with the city's planning commission to ensure a balance of housing and employment in each village, concentrate development at identified village cores, and to promote the unique character and identity of the villages."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phoenix.gov/pddsite/Documents/pdd_pz_pdf_00020.pdf |publisher=City of Phoenix |title=The Village Planning Handbook |page=1 |access-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327021820/https://www.phoenix.gov/pddsite/Documents/pdd_pz_pdf_00020.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There are 15 urban villages: [[Ahwatukee, Phoenix|Ahwatukee Foothills]], [[Alhambra, Phoenix|Alhambra]], [[Camelback East, Phoenix|Camelback East]], [[Central City, Phoenix|Central City]], [[Deer Valley, Phoenix|Deer Valley]], Desert View, [[Encanto, Phoenix|Encanto]], [[Estrella, Phoenix|Estrella]], [[Laveen, Arizona|Laveen]], [[Maryvale, Phoenix|Maryvale]], North Gateway, North Mountain, Paradise Valley, [[Rio Vista, Phoenix|Rio Vista]], and South Mountain.

The urban village of Paradise Valley is distinct from the nearby [[Paradise Valley, Arizona|Town of Paradise Valley]]. Although the urban village is part of Phoenix, the town is independent.

In addition to the above urban villages, Phoenix has a variety of commonly referred-to regions and districts, such as [[Downtown Phoenix|Downtown]], [[Midtown, Phoenix, Arizona|Midtown]], Uptown,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phoenix.gov/pddsite/Documents/ReinventPHX%20Uptown%20District%20Profile.pdf |publisher=City of Phoenix |title=ReinventPHX District Profile: Uptown |access-date=October 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102180553/https://www.phoenix.gov/pddsite/Documents/ReinventPHX%20Uptown%20District%20Profile.pdf |archive-date=January 2, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> West Phoenix, [[North/Northwest Phoenix|North Phoenix]], [[South Phoenix]], [[Biltmore Area]], [[Arcadia, Phoenix, Arizona|Arcadia]], and [[Sunnyslope, Phoenix|Sunnyslope]].

===Flora and fauna===
While some of the native flora and fauna of the [[Sonoran Desert]] can be found within Phoenix city limits, most are found in the suburbs and the undeveloped desert areas that surround the city. Native mammal species include [[coyote]], [[Collared Peccary|javelina]], [[bobcat]], [[Cougar|mountain lion]], [[Sylvilagus audubonii|desert cottontail rabbit]], [[jackrabbit]], [[antelope ground squirrel]], [[mule deer]], [[ring-tailed cat|ringtail]], [[coati]], and multiple species of bats, such as the [[Mexican free-tailed bat]] and [[western pipistrelle]], that roost in and around the city. There are many species of native birds, including [[Costa's hummingbird]], [[Anna's hummingbird]], [[Gambel's quail]], [[Gila woodpecker]], [[mourning dove]], [[white-winged dove]], the [[greater roadrunner]], the [[cactus wren]], and many species of raptors, including [[falcons]], [[hawks]], [[owls]], [[vultures]] (such as the [[turkey vulture]] and [[black vulture]]), and [[eagle]]s, including the [[golden eagle|golden]] and the [[bald eagle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/things-to-do/wildlife |title=The Wildlife of the Phoenix Mountain Preserves |publisher=phoenix.gov |access-date=September 5, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919085511/https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/things-to-do/wildlife |archive-date=September 19, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/urban_az_wildlife.shtml |title=Living With Wildlife – Arizona Wildlife |publisher=Arizona Game and Fish Department |access-date=February 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222011519/http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/urban_az_wildlife.shtml |archive-date=February 22, 2014 }}</ref>

The greater Phoenix region is home to the only thriving feral population of [[rosy-faced lovebird]]s in the U.S. This bird is a popular [[birdcage]] pet, native to southwestern Africa. Feral birds were first observed living outdoors in 1987, probably escaped or released pets, and by 2010 the Greater Phoenix population had grown to about 950 birds. These [[lovebird]]s prefer older neighborhoods where they nest under untrimmed, dead [[palm tree]] fronds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://azfo.org/journal/Rosy-facedLovebird2011.html |title=Status of the Rosy-faced Lovebird in Phoenix, Arizona |first1=Kurt A. |last1=Radamaker |first2=Troy E. |last2=Corman |date=September 15, 2011 |work=Arizona Field Ornithologists |access-date=September 4, 2014}}</ref><ref name="PF-Lovebird">{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Greg |title=Peach-faced Lovebird Range Expansion Data in Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area |url=http://mirror-pole.com/collpage/pf_loveb/pfl_1.htm |access-date=February 27, 2011}}</ref>

The area is also home to a plethora of native reptile species including the [[Crotalus atrox|Western diamondback rattlesnake]], [[Crotalus cerastes cercobombus|Sonoran sidewinder]], several other types of rattlesnakes, [[Micruroides|Sonoran coral snake]], dozens of species of non-venomous snakes (including the [[Sonoran gopher snake]] and the [[California kingsnake]]), the [[gila monster]], [[Sceloporus magister|desert spiny lizard]], several types of [[Teiidae|whiptail lizards]], the [[chuckwalla]], [[desert horned lizard]], [[western banded gecko]], [[Sonora mud turtle]], and the [[desert tortoise]]. Native amphibian species include the [[Scaphiopus couchii|Couch's spadefoot toad]], [[Chiricahua leopard frog]], and the [[Incilius alvarius|Sonoran desert toad]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phoenixsnakeremoval.com/snakes-of-phoenix.php |title=Common Snakes of the Phoenix Area |publisher=Phoenix Snake Removal |access-date=February 10, 2014}}</ref>

Phoenix and the surrounding areas are also home to a wide variety of native invertebrates including the [[Arizona bark scorpion]], [[giant desert hairy scorpion]], [[Arizona blond tarantula]], [[Sonoran Desert centipede]], [[tarantula hawk wasp]], [[solifugae|camel spider]], and [[amblypygi|tailless whip scorpion]]. Of great concern is the presence of [[Africanized bee]]s which can be extremely dangerous—even lethal—when provoked.

The Arizona Upland subdivision of the Sonoran Desert (of which Phoenix is a part) has "the most structurally diverse flora in the United States." One of the most well-known types of succulents, the [[Saguaro|giant saguaro cactus]], is found throughout the city and its neighboring environs. Other native species are the [[Stenocereus thurberi|organpipe]], [[Barrel cactus|barrel]], [[Fishhook cactus|fishhook]], [[Pachycereus schottii|senita]], [[Opuntia|prickly pear]] and [[Cylindropuntia|cholla]] cacti; [[Fouquieria|ocotillo]]; [[Parkinsonia aculeata|Palo Verde trees]] and [[Parkinsonia microphylla|foothill]] and [[Parkinsonia florida|blue paloverde]]; [[Washingtonia filifera|California fan palm]]; [[agave]]s; [[Yucca elata|soaptree yucca]], [[Hesperoyucca whipplei|Spanish bayonet]], [[Dasylirion wheeleri|desert spoon]], and [[Hesperaloe parviflora|red yucca]]; [[Olneya|ironwood]]; [[mesquite]]; and the [[Larrea tridentata|creosote bush]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.desertmuseum.org/center/swbiodiversity.php |title=Sonoran Desert Region Flora – Maricopa County |publisher=Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum |access-date=February 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222050828/http://www.desertmuseum.org/center/swbiodiversity.php |archive-date=February 22, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://southwest.library.arizona.edu/azso/body.1_div.4.html |title=Natural Vegetation of Arizona |publisher=University of Arizona Library |access-date=February 10, 2014 |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224024058/http://southwest.library.arizona.edu/azso/body.1_div.4.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Many non-native plants also thrive in Phoenix including, but not limited to, the [[date palm]], [[Washingtonia robusta|Mexican fan palm]], [[Phoenix canariensis|pineapple palm]], [[Pinus brutia|Afghan pine]], [[Pinus canariensis|Canary Island pine]], [[Pachycereus marginatus|Mexican fencepost cactus]], [[Pachycereus pringlei|cardon cactus]], [[acacia]], [[eucalyptus]], [[aloe]], [[bougainvillea]], [[Nerium|oleander]], [[lantana]], [[Melaleuca citrina|bottlebrush]], [[olive]], [[citrus]], and [[Caesalpinia pulcherrima|red bird of paradise]].

=== Climate ===
{{main|Climate of Phoenix}}
[[File:Hummingbird Springs Wilderness (9412743529).jpg|thumb|The [[Sonoran Desert]] surrounding Phoenix]]
Phoenix has a [[Desert climate#Hot desert climates|hot desert climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen:]] ''BWh''),<ref name="ViennaKoppen"/><ref name="HESKoppen"/> typical of the [[Sonoran Desert]], and is the largest city in [[Americas|America]] in this climatic zone.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/phoenix-america-s-desert-metropolis/28262/|title=Phoenix: America's Desert Metropolis {{!}} Smart Cities Dive|website=www.smartcitiesdive.com|language=en-US|access-date=March 8, 2019}}</ref> Phoenix has long, extremely hot summers and short, mild winters. The city is within one of the world's sunniest regions, with its [[sunshine duration]] comparable to the [[Sahara]] region. With 3,872 hours of bright sunshine annually, Phoenix receives the most sunshine of any major city on Earth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/articles/the-10-sunniest-cities-in-the-world/|title=The 10 Sunniest Cities In The World|last=Stanley|first=Courtney|date=April 25, 2016|access-date=September 7, 2016}}</ref> Average high temperatures in summer are the hottest of any major city in the United States.<ref name=Farmers>{{cite web |url=http://farmersalmanac.com/weather/2012/07/09/americas-hottest-cities/ |publisher=The Farmer's Almanac |title=America's Hottest Cities |last=Weatherbee |first=Caleb |date=July 9, 2012 |access-date=August 29, 2015 |archive-date=September 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917062714/http://farmersalmanac.com/weather/2012/07/09/americas-hottest-cities/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On average, there are 111 days annually with a high of at least {{convert|100|°F|0}}, including most days from the end of May through late September. Highs top {{convert|110|°F|0}} an average of 21 days during the year.<ref name = NOAA >{{cite web|url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=psr|title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|access-date = July 21, 2023}}</ref> On June 26, 1990, the temperature reached an all-time recorded high of {{convert|122|°F|0}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phoenix-az.knoji.com/10-alltime-hottest-weather-temperature-days-in-phoenix/ |title=10 All-Time Hottest Weather Temperature Days in Phoenix |publisher=Knoji |access-date=February 5, 2014 |last=Dorish |first=Joe}}</ref> The annual minimum temperature in Phoenix is in the mid-to-low 30s.<ref name="NOAA"/> It rarely drops to {{cvt|32|°F}} or below. Snow is rare.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, was ranked seventh for most [[Tropospheric ozone|ozone pollution]] in the United States according to the [[American Lung Association]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2019/04/24/phoenix-ranked-7th-most-ozone-pollution-nation/3553111002/|title=Phoenix ranked seventh for most ozone pollution in the nation, receives 'F' on new report|last=Totiyapungprasert|first=Priscilla|date=April 24, 2019|work=The Arizona Republic|publisher=Arizona Republic}}</ref> Vehicle emissions are cited as precursors to ozone formation. Phoenix also has high levels of [[Particulates|particulate]] pollution; although, cities in California lead the nation in this hazard.<ref>{{Cite web|title=California Air Quality Report Card|url=https://www.lung.org/research/sota/city-rankings/states/california|access-date=December 29, 2021|website=www.lung.org|language=en}}</ref> PM2.5 particulate matter, which is a component of diesel engine exhaust, and larger PM10 particles, which can come from dust, can both reach concerning levels in Phoenix.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lung.org/local-content/_content-items/about-us/media/press-releases/new-report-phoenix-air.html|title=New Report: Phoenix Air Quality Worsened for Pollution|website=American Lung Association|language=en|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref> In fact, people, pets, and other animals exposed to high concentrations of PM10 dust particles―primarily from dust storms or from disturbed agricultural or construction sites―are at risk of contracting [[Valley Fever]], a fungal lung infection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/valley-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20378761|title=Valley Fever|website=Mayo Clinic|language=en|access-date=September 13, 2020}}</ref>

Unlike most desert locations which have drastic fluctuations between day and nighttime temperatures, the [[urban heat island]] effect limits Phoenix's [[diurnal temperature variation]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Matthew|first=Rozsa|date=February 1, 2021|title=Why Phoenix may be uninhabitable by the end of this century|url=https://www.salon.com/2021/01/31/why-phoenix-may-be-uninhabitable-by-the-end-of-this-century/|access-date=February 1, 2021|magazine=Salon|language=en}}</ref> As the city has expanded, average summer low temperatures have been steadily rising. Pavement, sidewalks, and buildings store the Sun's heat and radiate it at night.<ref>{{cite book |title=Insider's Guide: Phoenix & Scottsdale |publisher=Morris Book Publishing|editor-last=Sirois|editor-first=Kevin |isbn=978-0-7627-7321-3 |edition=7th |year=2012 |page=186}}</ref> The daily normal low remains at or above {{convert|80|°F|0}} for an average of 74 days per summer.<ref name = NOAA/> On July 19, 2023, Phoenix set its record for the warmest daily low temperature, at {{convert|97|°F|°C|abbr=on}}.<ref name = NOAA/>

[[File:PhoenixDustStorm2.2011.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|alt=photo of a dust storm, called a haboob, sweeping in over the city of Phoenix|A 2011 [[haboob]]]]

The city averages approximately 300 days of sunshine, or over 85% of daylight hours, per year,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.public.asu.edu/~aunjs/ClimateofPhoenix/wxpart1.htm |publisher=Arizona State University |title=Abstract on the Climate of Phoenix |first=Harold |last=Bulk |access-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119101009/http://www.public.asu.edu/~aunjs/ClimateofPhoenix/wxpart1.htm |archive-date=January 19, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 |url=http://archive.azcentral.com/relocation/valley101/weather.html
 |newspaper=Arizona Republic
 |title=Weather in the desert covers the spectrum
 |access-date=March 20, 2016
|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160516044129/http://archive.azcentral.com/relocation/valley101/weather.html
 |archive-date=May 16, 2016
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> and receives scant rainfall―the average annual total at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is {{convert|7.22|in|mm|abbr=on}}. The region's trademark dry and sunny weather is interrupted by sporadic Pacific storms in the winter and the arrival of the [[North American monsoon]] in the summer.<ref name="BATTG19">{{Cite journal|last=Battaglia|first=Steven M.|date=November 1, 2019|title=No Fairy Tale Ending: The Future of Water and the American Southwest|journal=[[Weatherwise]]|volume=72|issue=6|pages=36–43|doi=10.1080/00431672.2019.1659034|bibcode=2019Weawi..72f..36B |s2cid=214466152|issn=0043-1672}}</ref> Historically, the monsoon officially started when the average [[dew point]] was {{convert|55|°F|0}} for three days in a row—typically occurring in early July. To increase monsoon awareness and promote safety, however, the National Weather Service decreed that starting in 2008, June 15 would be the official "first day" of the monsoon, and it would end on September 30.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phoenix.about.com/od/weather/a/monsoontrivia.htm |title=Phoenix Monsoon Facts |publisher=phoenix.about.com |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221201736/http://phoenix.about.com/od/weather/a/monsoontrivia.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> When active, the monsoon raises humidity levels and can cause heavy localized precipitation, flash floods, hail, destructive winds, and [[Dust storm#Dust storm visibility of ¼ mile or less, or meters or less|dust storms]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.researchhistory.org/2011/07/08/worst-dust-storm-in-arizona-history/ |title=Sweeping Dust Storm in Arizona History |date=July 8, 2011 |publisher=Research History |access-date=February 5, 2014}}</ref>—which can rise to the level of a [[haboob]] in some years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/29/haboob-arizona-phoenix-dust-storm_n_7684654.html |work=HuffPost |title=Haboob Alert! Giant Dust Storms Engulf Phoenix Area, Leaving Thousands Without Power |first=Dominique |last=Mosbergen |date=June 29, 2015 |access-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331161828/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/29/haboob-arizona-phoenix-dust-storm_n_7684654.html |archive-date=March 31, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{Phoenix weatherbox}}