Southern California Shatters Heat Records in Late Winter

Temperatures soar 20-30 degrees above normal, breaking dozens of daily and all-time March heat records

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:03pm

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A weeklong heat wave has shattered temperature records across Southern California, with locations in Los Angeles and Ventura counties breaking 10 daily heat records on Wednesday alone. Several cities, including Palmdale, Lancaster, Paso Robles, Indio, Thermal, and Palm Springs, set new all-time March temperature records, reaching as high as 107 degrees. Meteorologists say the heat wave is more typical of summer conditions than late winter.

Why it matters

The extreme heat wave is highly unusual for this time of year in Southern California, raising concerns about the impacts on public health, energy usage, and the region's ability to adapt to the effects of climate change. Record-breaking temperatures this late in the winter season could be an early indicator of longer and more intense heat waves to come.

The details

The heat wave has sent temperatures hovering 20 to 30 degrees above normal, with the inland valleys and deserts reaching triple digits while coastal areas have seen temperatures in the 80s and 90s. An extreme heat warning remains in place through Friday, with officials urging residents to be on guard for heat-related illnesses. Moderate relief is expected this weekend as the high pressure system starts to weaken.

  • On Wednesday, locations in Los Angeles and Ventura counties broke 10 daily heat records.
  • On Wednesday, Palmdale, Lancaster, Paso Robles, Indio, Thermal, and Palm Springs all set new all-time March temperature records.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather-related warnings and advisories.

Bryan Lewis

A National Weather Service meteorologist who spoke to the Los Angeles Times about the historic nature of the heat wave.

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What they’re saying

“We're breaking so many records, it's definitely pretty clear that it's one of the warmest Marches we've ever had. It's more similar to the heat waves we see in the summer.”

— Bryan Lewis, Meteorologist

What’s next

Moderate relief is expected this weekend as the high pressure system starts to weaken, bringing a gradual drop in temperatures.

The takeaway

The extreme late-winter heat wave in Southern California is a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, underscoring the need for proactive measures to build resilience and prepare for more frequent and intense heat waves in the future.