Historic March heatwave pushes south-west US toward triple digits | US news
Bitter temperatures have been recorded in states in the southwestern United States in late winter, and forecasts indicate warmer days are still to come.
California, Nevada and Arizona were all under heat warnings on Thursday due to record-breaking temperatures.
In California, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned residents that the risk of heat illness was high, saying the Los Angeles area was facing “extremely rare heat for March.” Palm Springs, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles, is expected to reach 108F on Thursday. Heat warnings will remain in effect until Sunday.
“Temperatures are 25-35 degrees above normal,” the NWS Los Angeles heat advisory said, adding: “Many daily records will be shattered.”
Multiple daily heat records were broken in more than a dozen areas of Los Angeles on Tuesday, the NWS reported. Published on X.
The heat, though not as scorching, has also reached Northern California; San Francisco faces a moderate heat risk — two levels below “extreme.”
Reno, Nevada has experienced record temperatures this week, with temperatures expected to peak on Friday. Las Vegas, meanwhile, already set a March record on Wednesday.
“Daily and monthly temperature records continue to be rewritten as this historic March heat wave continues into next week,” NWS Las Vegas said. in question on Thursday.
Phoenix was under an extreme heat warning on Thursday, with afternoon temperatures expected to reach 105F. “For some perspective, the average first 105-degree day of the year normally occurs on May 22.” to mail from the weather service.
NWS’s Phoenix office said: “Daily records will be broken by up to 10 degrees each day through Sunday,” with a peak expected on Friday.
Temperatures are expected to cool next week, with Los Angeles dropping into the mid-80s Fahrenheit.
Some national parks in the west They were getting ready for the spring break crowds He urged people to check the weather forecast before heading out. High temperatures in New Mexico’s White Sands national park can reach the mid-90s (around 35 degrees). The Grand Canyon national park in Arizona was under an extreme heat warning, with temperatures likely to reach 104F (40C) in some locations.
Park officials warned hikers to avoid strenuous activities during the hottest hours of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Hiking trails at the Lake Mead national recreation area were closed due to the heat wave. a notification From the National Park Service.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
