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