US Edition‘Extremely Rare’ Heat Wave Shatters Records Across Southwest US
Nearly 40 million people face heat warnings as temperatures break records in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and inland Los Angeles, raising flood risks from rapid snowmelt, officials said.
- On Thursday, Phoenix, Arizona reached a record 105 degrees, shattering its March 19 mark of 96, while Las Vegas, Nevada hit 98 degrees, breaking its daily record by 8 degrees.
- Nearly 20 million people in the Southwest face excessive heat warnings, with an additional 20 million under heat advisories as an anomalous heat wave intensifies across the Great Basin and Rockies.
- The Banner Poison & Drug Information Center in Phoenix reported 10 rattlesnake-bite cases and 237 scorpion stings in 2026, with warming temperatures pushing venomous species out of hibernation earlier than usual.
- Meteorologist Brian Planz warned visitors in Las Vegas that conditions are "unusual for this time of year," while experts advise staying hydrated and avoiding peak afternoon heat to prevent illness.
- Rapid mountain snowpack melting could cause flooding across the region, as scientists warn that rising global temperatures are making extreme weather events more frequent and intense.
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In Arizona, the hottest March value in the United States was measured on Thursday at 43.3°C. The extreme heat wave hit many cities such as Phoenix, San Diego and Las Vegas – much earlier than the usual 40-degree days in May.
The western United States is experiencing a historic heat wave. Spring is just beginning, but temperatures are summer-like, often up to 20°C higher than usual. On Wednesday, several stations measured temperatures above 40°C, tying the monthly record for the entire United States. It could get even hotter in the coming days.
August-like heat shatters more records across Los Angeles area
Southern California suffered another day of sweltering heat Thursday, breaking records across the region, including more than 10 in the Los Angeles area alone. “This is August weather, I mean, there’s no other way to say it,” KTLA Meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said Thursday morning. “Here we are in the final days of winter and it [...]
abc 15 Arizona
‘Extremely rare’ heat wave shatters records across Southwest US
An “extremely rare” March heat wave is shattering records across the western United States, with triple-digit temperatures in Phoenix and near-100 readings in Las Vegas and inland Los Angeles.
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