100 degrees this weekend?

Here is the weather outlook thanks to channel 3 TV and Royal Norman!

It’s not a lock as we look at the forecast for this coming weekend. But there’s at least a 50 percent chance we’ll see 100 degrees in the Valley for the first time this year. If not Sunday, then perhaps Monday will be the day.

By any of the measurements, if we get there by April 28, that will be early. Since 1896, the average first 100-degree reading in Phoenix has come on May 13. However, in the past 30 years, that average has moved up to May 5. Yes, that means it’s getting hotter, earlier in the year, on average.

Still, we won’t be setting any records. The earliest we’ve ever had 100 in Phoenix was March 26, 1988. I remember the highlight of that day was when 3TV weatherman Jim Howl took a dip in a pool “live” while he did the forecast. Folks, that was crazy TV in the '80s. There was nobody doing that kind of thing.

The latest we’ve ever gotten to 100 is on June 18, 1913. No, April. I don’t remember that.