States across the US southwest are enduring a historic March heatwave, with temperatures soaring 25-35°F above normal and widespread heat warnings in effect. California, Nevada and Arizona have recorded some of the hottest March temperatures ever seen in the US, with forecasts indicating the extreme conditions will persist through the weekend.
In California, Palm Springs is expected to reach 108°F (42°C) on Thursday, while a tiny desert community, North Shore, tied the highest March temperature ever recorded in the US at 108°F (42.2°C) on Wednesday. Downtown Los Angeles hit 94°F (34.4°C), beating its previous daily record for 18 March set in 1997. The National Weather Service (NWS) described the heat as “extremely rare for March” and warned of a high risk of heat illness.
Arizona’s capital, Phoenix, set a record overnight low of 69°F (20.5°C) for 19 March, with daytime highs expected to reach 105°F (40.5°C) or higher. The NWS noted that the average first 105°F day of the year normally occurs on 22 May, and the last time Phoenix saw triple-digit temperatures in March was nearly 40 years ago. Daily records are expected to be broken through Sunday, with a peak forecast for Friday.
In Nevada, Las Vegas set a March record on Wednesday, and Reno has experienced record-setting warmth, with temperatures expected to peak on Friday. The NWS Las Vegas stated that “daily and monthly temperature records continue to be rewritten as this historic March heatwave persists into next week.”
National parks in the region have issued warnings. The Grand Canyon in Arizona is under an extreme heat warning, with temperatures possibly reaching 104°F (40°C). Hiking trails at Lake Mead national recreation area have been closed due to the heat. Officials advise avoiding strenuous activity between 10am and 4pm, the hottest part of the day.
Temperatures are expected to cool next week, with Los Angeles dipping to about 80°F (27°C). However, for now, the southwest remains in the grip of an unprecedented March heatwave that has rewritten weather records across the region.
