Arizona Desert Community Hits Record 110 Degrees

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A desert community in southwestern Arizona reached 110 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday, breaking the record for the highest March temperature ever recorded in the United States. The record-setting temperature was recorded just outside Martinez Lake, Arizona, in the Yuma Desert, as a winter heat wave swept through the Southwest.

Why it matters

This extreme heat event highlights the growing impact of climate change, with temperatures in the Southwest reaching unprecedented levels for this time of year. The early arrival of triple-digit temperatures poses risks to public health and the environment, and raises concerns about the region's ability to adapt to a hotter future.

The details

The previous record of 108 degrees Fahrenheit had been set in Rio Grande City, Texas, in 1954 and was tied on Wednesday by the tiny desert community of North Shore, California. By Thursday, several more California locations had also hit 108 degrees, including Cathedral City near Palm Springs and the town of Thermal northeast of San Diego. The triple-digit temperatures came on the last day of winter, with Thermal forecast to potentially tie the 110-degree record on Friday.

• The record-setting temperature of 110 degrees was recorded on Thursday, March 20, 2026.
• The previous record of 108 degrees was set in Rio Grande City, Texas, in 1954 and tied on Wednesday, March 19, 2026.

What’s next

Meteorologists expect the extreme heat to continue for the rest of the week in the Southwest before temperatures drop slightly starting on Sunday.