California Desert Community Ties All-Time March Heat Record

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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 US. The record was first set by Rio Grande City, Texas in 1954 and has now been matched by North Shore, California amid a record-breaking winter heat wave in the Southwest that is expected to continue through the weekend.

Why it matters

This extreme heat event in March is highly unusual and underscores the growing impacts of climate change, with many cities in the region experiencing their earliest 100-plus degree days on record. The heat wave is putting significant strain on power grids and raising concerns about public health and safety.

The details

North Shore, a small desert community in Southern California, reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, matching the highest March temperature ever recorded in the United States. This record was first set by Rio Grande City, Texas in 1954. The intense heat is part of a broader record-breaking winter heat wave impacting the Southwest, with temperatures forecast to remain 20-30 degrees above normal for the rest of the week before dropping slightly over the weekend.

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

What they’re saying

What’s next

Meteorologists are closely monitoring the heat wave and expect temperatures to remain well above normal through the end of the week, with the possibility of even higher records being set in some areas.