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North Shore Today
By the People, for the People
Southwest Sees Record-Breaking March Heat
California town ties all-time March high as region braces for continued scorching temperatures
Mar. 19, 2026 at 10:18pm
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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. Forecasters warn that the record-breaking winter heat across the Southwest will continue into the weekend, with several cities experiencing their hottest March days in decades.
Why it matters
The extreme heat in the Southwest is highly unusual for this time of year and is raising concerns about the impacts on public health, energy grids, and the environment. The early arrival of triple-digit temperatures is a troubling sign of the effects of climate change in the region.
The details
North Shore, California tied a record high of 108 degrees on Wednesday, matching a mark set in Rio Grande City, Texas in 1954. Nearby Thermal, California is forecast to hit 110 degrees on Friday. In Arizona, Phoenix set a record-high overnight low of 69 degrees on March 19th. Several other cities, including Las Vegas, downtown Los Angeles, and Palm Springs, California, also experienced their hottest March days on record this week.
- On Wednesday, North Shore, California reached 108 degrees, tying the highest March temperature ever recorded in the U.S.
- On Thursday, Phoenix, Arizona is forecast to reach highs around 105 degrees, with the potential for even hotter temperatures on Friday.
The players
North Shore, California
A tiny desert community in Southern California that tied the highest March temperature ever recorded in the U.S.
Thermal, California
A California desert town northeast of San Diego that is forecast to hit 110 degrees on Friday.
Phoenix, Arizona
The capital city of Arizona that set a record-high overnight low temperature for March 19th at 69 degrees.
What’s next
The extreme heat is expected to continue through the weekend before temperatures drop slightly starting on Sunday.
The takeaway
The record-breaking March heat wave in the Southwest is a concerning sign of the impacts of climate change, with cities experiencing their hottest March temperatures in decades. The early arrival of triple-digit temperatures raises public health and environmental concerns for the region.
