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Summary: Summertime weather stress indices for Phoenix, Arizona are analysed for the period 1948 to 1984. Weather stress levels for the nighttime period are increasing rapidly over the past several decades. These increasing discomfort levels are a result of a sharp increase in nocturnal temperatures. A small, but statistically significant, decline in atmospheric moisture levels is moderating the upward trend in weather stress. Changes in local land-use patterns are apparently responsible for the general trends found in the temperature, atmospheric moisture, and weather stress indices.

The recent explosive population growth in Phoenix, Arizona is forcing policy-makers to develop an increased understanding of air quality meteorology in the desert setting. In this investigation, the long-term smoke/haze data base from Phoenix is analyzed to determine the magnitude of temporal changes in smoke/haze frequencies and durations. The results reveal no changes in smoke/haze frequency and intensity, but significant increases in the duration of these events. The findings appear to be related to the impact of the growing urban heat island on the structure of local inversion layers. The results suggest a link between urban-induced temperature and wind changes and air quality levels within a growing metropolitan area.

Summertime diurnal precipitation patterns for Phoenix, Arizona are analyzed for the period 1954 through 1985. Although the mean precipitation amounts and frequencies for the entire summer monsoon season have not shown any significant effects from the rapidly developing urban heat island, diurnal patterns have displayed substantial changes in the recent period of explosive population growth. During the most recent 16 years, late afternoon and evening storms have become more frequent and produce greater rainfall totals. Sharp declines are noted in the frequency of rain events between midnight and noon; especially large drops occur in the rainfall amounts between 9.00 and 12.00 MST. These findings appear to be consistent with several mechanisms proposed to explain the unusual diurnal character of the summertime rainfall in the Phoenix, Arizona area.