Dangerous, Unprecedented Heat Wave Hits the West

Temperatures reach 25-40 degrees above normal across the region, setting all-time March records in a dozen cities.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 7:29pm

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A dangerous and unprecedented heat wave is hitting the West, with temperatures reaching 25-to-40 degrees above normal across the region. A dozen cities recorded all-time record March temperatures on Wednesday, including 105 degrees in Palm Springs, California; 102 degrees in Phoenix, Arizona; and 94 degrees in Las Vegas. Heat alerts are in place for 40 million Americans in the West through the weekend.

Why it matters

Extreme heat is considered the deadliest weather-related hazard in the U.S., with around 2,000 Americans dying each year on average from extreme heat. The high temperatures and dry weather also increase the risk of wildfires across the region.

The details

The heat wave is expected to spread east through the week, with record highs potentially reaching Texas, Nebraska and Oklahoma by Friday, and daily record highs stretching from Los Angeles to Memphis, Tennessee by Sunday. Red flag warnings are in place for parts of Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska, where wind gusts could reach 30 to 45 mph.

  • On Wednesday, a dozen cities recorded all-time record March temperatures.
  • The heat wave is expected to continue through the weekend.

The players

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The leading national public health institute in the United States.

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The takeaway

This heat wave highlights the growing threat of extreme heat events driven by climate change, and the need for communities to have robust plans in place to protect vulnerable populations and mitigate the risks of wildfires.