Record-breaking heat across the western U.S. will intensify and expand eastward, bringing temperatures 15–30 degrees above normal, increasing health risks, accelerating high country snowmelt and raising wildfire risks.
ByAlex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Mar 19, 2026 1:45 PM CDT|Updated Mar 20, 2026 11:49 AM CDT
Cities throughout the Southwest have been breaking records day after day due to extreme heat.
Dozens of record-high temperatures, including all-time March records, have already been set in the western United States during this week's heat wave, with the heat set to intensify and expand before it starts to loosen its grip.
Temperatures will climb to levels more typical of late May and June across a broad area of the western and central U.S. through this weekend and, in some areas, into next week.
Widespread highs will reach the 80s and 90s F, with multiple desert locations climbing past 100 degrees. These temperatures are 15–30 degrees above the historical average for the latter half of March.
Heat-sensitive individuals may face an elevated risk of health problems due to the early-season surge in warmth. Some households may not yet have switched their climate control systems from heating to cooling, which could be especially dangerous as the record-breaking heat persists.
Some hiking trails, typically popular in early spring, have beenclosed due to extreme heatand the risk of dehydration.
The building heat and abundant sunshine will accelerate snowmelt in the high country and rapidly dry out vegetation at lower elevations, said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
Source: Drudge Report
