Weather security

It's So Hot in Phoenix, Planes Can't Fly

It’s so hot in Phoenix, airplanes can’t take off. 

A strong high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere is creating a dome of heat over the Southwest, said weather.com meteorologist Christopher Dolce. Beneath the dome, sinking air is causing temperatures to soar well over 110 degrees in many areas.

“Some of the highest temperatures of the year can be recorded before the onset of the summer monsoon,” Dolce said. “Humidity levels are low, so the sun's energy can be used to heat the air rather than being absorbed by water vapor or used for evaporation.”

All of that heat forced American Airlines to ground more than 40 flights operated by its regional partner American Eagle at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport on Monday and Tuesday, the airline said in a statement to AzCentral.com.

The shorter regional flights use Bombardier CRJ aircraft, which has a maximum operating temperature of 118 degrees, the paper reports, and Tuesday's forecast for Phoenix includes a high of 120 degrees.