Heat wave March southwest: temperatures up to 35 ° above average
This week has been extraordinary for the West Coast. Temperatures exceeded the March average by 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, cities such as Las Vegas, Denver and Phoenix broke daily and monthly records back-to-back.
On the other hand, there are no signs of significant cooling in the short term. In fact, forecasts indicate that high temperatures will remain until mid-April.
California equals all-time U.S. March record.
On Thursday, both Thermal and Indio reached 108 °F. That mark tied the national record for the month of March. They also set a new state record: the hottest March day in California history.
Previously, the national record for March belonged to Rio Grande City, Texas, recorded on March 31, 1954. It was also matched by Falcon Dam, Texas, on March 27, 2020. California now shares that historic mark.
Meanwhile, downtown Los Angeles reached 96 °F on Friday. That temperature broke a record that had stood since 1997. No doubt, this March Southwest heat wave is rewriting the state's weather history books.
Phoenix records 105 °F: its hottest March day in 131 years
In 131 years of records, Phoenix had only touched 100 °F once in March. However, on Thursday and Friday the city reached 105 °F. That makes it its warmest March day on record.
Additionally, the National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Warning for southwestern Arizona. This warning will remain in effect through Sunday night. Notably, this is the earliest heat warning in Phoenix history, surpassing the previous record set in April 2020 by more than a month.
High temperatures are expected on Saturday, with a slight drop on Sunday. However, relief will be brief.
Las Vegas breaks records for three consecutive days
The entertainment capital is also feeling the impact of this March Southwest heat wave. On Friday, Las Vegas reached 97 °F. That figure broke both the daily and monthly March records for the third consecutive day.
In the Mojave Desert, temperatures continue to defy all expectations. Consequently, millions of residents face dangerously hot conditions.
Denver and Boulder reach 85 °F - almost 30 degrees above average
On Thursday and Friday, Denver and Boulder recorded 85 °F. That temperature is nearly 30 degrees above the March average. For cities accustomed to snowstorms at this time of year, the figure is shocking.
Other cities also set daily records. These included Kansas City in Missouri, Omaha in Nebraska and Flagstaff in Arizona. The geographic scope of this heat wave is truly exceptional.
Extreme heat warnings for nearly 40 million people
Currently, Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories cover about 40 million people. The alerts cover California, New Mexico and Arizona. However, the scope could expand in the coming days.
Maximum temperatures exceed the seasonal average by as much as 35 °F. This difference extends from California to the Great Plains. According to models, the hottest days will be recorded through Saturday.
However, even after Saturday, temperatures will remain high enough to break records. Multiple locations could record record highs for seven or more consecutive days. Such persistence is extremely rare in weather records.
Could the April records fall as well?
The magnitude of this March southwest heat wave goes beyond daily records. Meteorologists warn that many stations could break their March absolute monthly records. Surprisingly, some forecasters suggest that even April records are in jeopardy.
If that happens, this would be an unprecedented event in the modern climatology of the western U.S. Canal Meteo TV will continue to update the information as the situation evolves.
In summary, the heat wave march southwest is a historic event that affects millions of people. We recommend that you follow the instructions of local authorities and stay hydrated. For the most up-to-date information on this heat wave and other weather phenomena, please visit Meteo TV Channel.
If you want to better understand the atmospheric phenomenon behind this event, check out this guide on the heat dome.
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