An unprecedented heatwave gripping Arizona has caused severe disruption at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where scorching temperatures have literally begun melting critical infrastructure.
The extreme conditions, which saw temperatures soar to a blistering 110°F (43°C), softened asphalt on the airport's taxiways, leading to a significant number of flight cancellations and delays. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was forced to issue ground stops and delays as airport crews worked urgently to assess and mitigate the damage to the airfield surfaces.
Travel Chaos in the Desert Heat
Passengers faced major travel chaos as the intense heat made it unsafe for aircraft to operate normally. The softening asphalt posed a risk to ground operations, including the safe movement of planes and support vehicles between terminals and runways.
This incident highlights the growing challenge climate extremes pose to critical national infrastructure, particularly in regions already accustomed to high temperatures. The severity of this event, however, is being called exceptional even for the desert state.
Broader Regional Impact
The disruption wasn't isolated to Phoenix. The FAA also reported weather-related delays at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, indicating a pattern of climate-induced travel problems affecting both extreme heat zones and typically milder regions.
Aviation experts are increasingly concerned about how infrastructure will need to adapt to withstand more frequent and intense weather events driven by changing global climate patterns.
