Bay Area Shatters Temperature Records as Heat Wave Continues

Highs expected to reach the 80s and 90s across the region on Thursday

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:04pm by Ben Kaplan

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A prolonged March heat wave in the Bay Area and Central Coast is expected to continue breaking temperature records on Thursday, with highs forecast to reach the mid-80s in San Francisco and Oakland, and the 90s in San Jose and other inland areas. Several daily and monthly records were already broken on Wednesday, including in Napa, Redwood City, Richmond, and Salinas.

Why it matters

This extended period of unseasonably hot weather in March is highly unusual for the Bay Area, and is raising concerns about the impacts on public health, energy usage, and the region's ecosystems. Heat waves can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations, and the early arrival of such extreme temperatures is a troubling sign of the effects of climate change.

The details

According to CBS News Bay Area meteorologist Jessica Burch, Thursday's forecast calls for highs in the mid-80s in downtown San Francisco and Oakland, while inland areas like San Jose and the East Bay are expected to reach the 90s. On Wednesday, several daily temperature records were broken, including in Napa (89 degrees), Redwood City (90 degrees), Richmond (88 degrees), and Salinas (93 degrees). Two monthly records for March were also shattered on Wednesday.

  • On Wednesday, several daily temperature records fell.
  • A heat advisory for the Bay Area and Central Coast remains in effect through 8 p.m. Friday.

The players

Jessica Burch

A CBS News Bay Area meteorologist.

National Weather Service

The federal agency that monitors and reports on weather conditions.

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What’s next

The heat wave is expected to continue through the end of the week, with the National Weather Service maintaining a heat advisory for the region.

The takeaway

This prolonged March heat wave is a concerning sign of the impacts of climate change, as the Bay Area experiences record-breaking temperatures that pose risks to public health and the local environment. The region may need to adapt to more extreme weather events like this in the future.