Bay Area Shatters Multiple Heat Records in Extreme Wave

Temperatures soar up to 15 degrees above seasonal averages, but relief is on the way.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:25pm by Ben Kaplan

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Several monthly heat records were broken across the Bay Area over the past week as a high-pressure system led to triple-digit temperatures throughout California. Nine records were shattered, including in cities like San Francisco, San Rafael, and Redwood City, with some daily records also tied or broken.

Why it matters

The extreme heat wave highlights the growing impact of climate change on the region, with temperatures reaching levels typically not seen until the summer months. While the heat wave has passed, the incident raises concerns about the region's ability to adapt to more frequent and severe heat events in the future.

The details

From March 18-20, nine monthly heat records were broken in the Bay Area, including in Santa Rosa (92°F), San Rafael (92°F), Richmond (88°F), Livermore (91°F), San Francisco (90°F), San Francisco International Airport (89°F), Redwood City (94°F), Oakland Museum (91°F), and Salinas Airport (94°F). Several daily records were also tied or broken during this period.

  • The heat wave lasted for about a week, culminating in the record-breaking temperatures from March 18-20, 2026.
  • Temperatures are expected to remain warm, though not as extreme, through the end of the week, with highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s in interior areas and the low to mid-60s along the coast.

The players

Dial Hoang

A meteorologist for the National Weather Service's Bay Area office.

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What they’re saying

“We don't see a need for widespread heat advisories at this time. The risk for heat-related illness is much lower for this upcoming week, especially for sensitive populations.”

— Dial Hoang, Meteorologist

What’s next

By the end of the week, temperatures could drop into the 60s again, and some forecast models show indications of potential rain, though it's too soon to confirm.

The takeaway

This extreme heat wave underscores the growing threat of climate change and the need for the Bay Area to continue developing strategies to adapt to more frequent and severe heat events in the future, including measures to protect vulnerable populations.