Brutal Heat Wave Grips US Southwest, Shattering Records

Extreme temperatures raise wildfire risk as far as the Great Plains

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:52pm

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A relentless heat wave has been scorching the U.S. Southwest, shattering temperature records in cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix. Forecasters warn the extreme heat is expected to persist for at least the next week, with hundreds of daily high temperature records at risk of being broken or tied across the region. The heat has also raised the threat of wildfires spreading into the Great Plains.

Why it matters

The prolonged heat wave is a troubling sign of the impacts of climate change, as global warming drives more frequent and intense extreme weather events. The record-breaking temperatures and fire risk threaten public health, infrastructure, and ecosystems across the Southwest and beyond.

The details

Las Vegas reached 96°F on Saturday, a new record for the date, while the nearby National Weather Service office hit 97°F for the second day in a row, an all-time high for March. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport also hit 105°F for its third consecutive day, the highest March temperature on record there. Forecasters say the heat is expected to continue, with Las Vegas and Phoenix likely to break or tie records for the next 7 days. Across the U.S., 383 daily high temperature records are at risk of being broken, tied, or threatened in the next week.

  • On March 20, 2026, Las Vegas reached 96°F, a new record for the date.
  • On March 20-21, 2026, the nearby National Weather Service office hit 97°F, an all-time high for March.
  • On March 20-22, 2026, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport hit 105°F, the highest March temperature on record there.
  • The heat wave is expected to continue through at least March 28, 2026.

The players

Ashton Robinson Cook

A forecaster with the U.S. Weather Prediction Center.

Jennifer Francis

A senior scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center.

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What they’re saying

“The pattern is still going to persist for the foreseeable future with record heat persisting all the way through the end of March. Las Vegas should break or tie records for the next seven days if the forecast holds and Phoenix all the way through the 28th.”

— Ashton Robinson Cook, Forecaster

“Brutal heat waves are not just a summertime concern anymore. These unprecedented events may be the new abnormal we should expect to see more often as heat-trapping greenhouse gases continue to build up in the atmosphere.”

— Jennifer Francis, Senior Scientist

What’s next

The long-range forecast does not show any relief coming soon, with the odds high that much of the U.S. outside the Northeast will have higher than normal temperatures through at least April 17, 2026.

The takeaway

This extreme heat wave is a stark reminder of the growing threat of climate change, as global warming drives more frequent and intense heat events that endanger public health, infrastructure, and ecosystems across the Southwest and beyond. Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare communities for the new climate reality.