California community ties all-time March temperature record in the US

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A tiny desert community in Southern California reached 108 degrees on Wednesday, tying the highest March temperature ever recorded in the U.S. The record-breaking heat is part of a wider winter heat wave in the Southwest that could produce even higher temperatures by the end of the week.

Why it matters

This extreme heat in March is highly unusual and indicative of the growing threat of climate change, with temperatures rising well above normal seasonal levels. The new record could be broken in several cities across the region, posing risks to public health and the environment.

The details

The 108-degree temperature in North Shore, California, matched the previous all-time March record set in Rio Grande City, Texas in 1954. Several other cities in the Southwest also experienced their hottest March days on record, including Las Vegas, downtown Los Angeles, and Palm Springs. Meteorologists say this has been one of the most significant March heat waves in recorded history, with temperatures 20-30 degrees above normal.

• On March 19, 2026, North Shore, California reached 108 degrees.
• The previous March temperature record of 108 degrees was set in Rio Grande City, Texas in 1954.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Meteorologists expect the extreme heat to continue through the end of the week, with the possibility of even higher temperatures being recorded in the region.