Historic March Heat Wave Smashed Records From California To The East

Key Points:

• A historic March heat wave has shattered temperature records in nearly 180 U.S. cities across the Southwest, Plains, and East, with some locations tying or exceeding the previous national March record of 108°F for four consecutive days.
• Four stations in southeast California and southwest Arizona reached 112°F on March 20, nearing the U.S. April record high, while 14 states, including Nevada, Colorado, and Nebraska, set or tied their hottest March temperatures ever recorded.
• Major cities such as Phoenix, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Denver experienced unprecedented March heat, with Phoenix hitting 100°F or higher for six straight days, equaling its April record.
• The heat wave is expected to persist into its second week, with continued record highs across the Plains, South, and Southwest, including potential triple-digit temperatures in parts of Texas and the Desert Southwest.
• Relief is forecasted late this week as a cold front moves through the Plains and Rockies, but above-average warmth may return early next week, especially in the Southwest, driven by a strong March heat dome comparable to summer conditions.