US west coast prepares for 'dangerous' heatwave in early spring
Severe weather is plaguing the US from coast to coast, bringing a mix of extreme heat and bitter cold.
Coverage by Political Leaning
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Notable Quotes
"Extreme early-season heat coupled with high tourism rates will make this heat very dangerous, particularly for those not acclimated to the heat and/or traveling from cooler climates."
— Las Vegas NWS office , Other
"We really have most types of extreme weather across the U.S. here in mid-March."
— Dan DePodwin , Executive
"It is unusual for everything to be at the absolute extreme levels that they’re experiencing right now, but it is not completely unusual in spring to see wild weather happen."
— Bernadette Woods Placky , Academic
"This might go on the wall of an art museum; it’s pretty colorful."
— Jeff Masters , Academic
"While March is known for wild weather, this pattern is a doozy."
— Jennifer Francis , Academic
"The nation’s air conditioner, as we like to call it, is essentially shut off right now."
— Bryan Lewis , Other
"If somebody doesn’t feel well, we tell them to take breaks."
— Ron Marsh , Other
"Gotta stay hydrated and stay in the shade."
— Zack Marquez , Other
Key People
Climate Central Chief Meteorologist.
Bryan Lewis is a meteorologist at the weather service’s office for Los Angeles.
Dan DePodwin is the Vice President of Forecasting Operations at AccuWeather.
Meteorologist of Yale Climate Connections.
Climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center.
The National Weather Service office in Las Vegas provides weather forecasts and warnings.
A researcher at the University of Pennsylvania who studies planetary wave changes.
Ron Marsh is a supervisor overseeing outdoor construction activities in Los Angeles.
Zack Marquez is a resident of Koreatown, Los Angeles.
Locations
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All Coverage
Severe weather is plaguing the US from coast to coast, bringing a mix of extreme heat and bitter cold.
An unprecedented heat wave is poised to take hold in the Southwest, particularly in Phoenix, where temperatures are expected to reach triple digits for several days—levels typically seen two months later. Experts emphasize the unprecedented nature of this event and link such extreme heat directly to human-induced climate change.
Southern California is experiencing an unusual winter heat wave, with temperatures soaring into the 90s Fahrenheit (over 32°C) in mid-March—approximately 20 degrees above normal. Los Angeles saw a high of 91°F (32.7°C) on Thursday, and temperatures could reach 95°F (35°C) in the San Fernando Valley. The National Weather Service attributes the unseasonal heat to a high-pressure system and the absence of cooling Pacific Ocean winds.
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