Record Temps Lead To NorCal's First Ever March Heat Advisory

This heat wave is expected to be blisteringly hot and prolonged, forecasters warned.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:08pm

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Northern California is experiencing an unusually warm winter, triggering the first heat advisory of the year. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for most of the region from Monday through Friday, with temperatures expected to reach between 84 and 94 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Northern California, including 87 in Sacramento, 94 in Redding, and 88 in Chico. The heat wave is expected to be prolonged, with overnight lows offering minimal relief.

Why it matters

This early-season heat wave is highly unusual for Northern California, and the prolonged nature of the event raises concerns about the potential impact on heat-sensitive individuals and industries. The heat advisory highlights the growing challenge of climate change and the need for communities to be prepared for extreme weather events.

The details

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for most of Northern California, including the Bay Area and Central Coast, from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20. Temperatures are expected to reach between 84 and 94 degrees Fahrenheit, with some areas potentially reaching the upper 90s later in the week. Overnight lows are also expected to be warm, offering minimal relief. The hot weather could lead to impacts on health systems and heat-sensitive industries.

  • The heat advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. on Monday, March 16 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 20.
  • Temperatures are expected to reach between 84 and 94 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday and Tuesday.
  • Temperatures are expected to reach between 83 and 93 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday.
  • A slight cooling trend is expected to begin late in the weekend, with temperatures falling to between 77 and 86 degrees on Sunday, March 22.

The players

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts, and warnings for the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Portions of the interior Central Coast may reach the upper 90s starting mid to late week. Overnight lows in the upper 50s to low 60s will offer some relief to the lower elevations but will offer minimal relief within the higher elevations. Conditions will be well above normal along the coast this week, but coastal residents may experience more relief overnight than those across the interior. The risk of heat related illnesses will increase with each additional day of heating from this event.”

— National Weather Service (patch.com)

What’s next

A slight cooling trend is expected to begin late in the weekend, with temperatures falling to between 77 and 86 degrees on Sunday, March 22.

The takeaway

This early-season heat wave in Northern California is highly unusual and highlights the growing challenge of climate change. The prolonged nature of the event raises concerns about the potential impact on heat-sensitive individuals and industries, underscoring the need for communities to be prepared for extreme weather events.