Unprecedented Heat Wave Bakes the West Amidst Chilly US Midwest

Wed Mar 18 2026 00:39:07 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

San Francisco experiences one of the hottest March days on record, with temperatures nearing 90°F, while cities in the Midwest deal with severe snowstorms.

A rare winter heat wave is causing temperatures to soar across the U.S. West, with San Francisco hitting record highs this March. As San Francisco embraces summer-like weather, cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas are bracing for unprecedented triple-digit temperatures. Meanwhile, the Midwest is grappling with severe snowstorms, leading to numerous flight cancellations.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco is witnessing an extraordinary wave of warmth this March, reporting highs nearing 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2°C), as part of a broader heat wave affecting the U.S. West. This wave stands out as the hottest March in over two decades for the Bay Area, with temperatures reminiscent of summer in a city typically known for its chilly climate and foggy conditions.

While San Francisco basks in the unseasonable warmth, Phoenix is set to hit unprecedented triple-digit temperatures exceeding 100°F (37.7°C), and Las Vegas is on track to potentially break records for the earliest arrival of extreme heat.

The situation is starkly contrasted in the Midwest and Eastern U.S., which are coping with powerful snowstorms leading to thousands of flight cancellations and significant disruptions.

At Crissy Field in San Francisco, visitors, including dogs and sunbathers, are enjoying the clear skies and warm waters. One delighted dog walker, Justyce Roliz, noted the dogs are exuberantly splashing in the water, capturing the joy of the unexpected warmth.

Local resident Jessica Ling remarked on the pleasant surprise of the heat but acknowledged the challenges posed by her lack of air conditioning. Still, she and her family take every opportunity to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.

Weather records show San Francisco International Airport reached 83°F (28.3°C) and could climb higher as forecasts project continued upward trends. This follows unsettling warmth observed as early as March 2005, during which the city hit 87°F (30.5°C).

In Las Vegas, temperatures are forecast to rise to between 94 and 98°F (34.4 and 36.6°C) in the upcoming days, with citizens and visitors advised to stay hydrated and seek shade.

Arizona’s weather service has issued warnings for extreme heat across Grand Canyon National Park, where high temperatures risk reaching anywhere from 96 to 104°F (35.5 to 40°C). Park officials are urging visitors to avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day.

It’s crucial for residents and visitors to stay informed, with water utilities in Colorado already cautioning against unnecessary lawn watering amid concerns about the lack of snowpack crucial for water supply in the coming months.

The unusual weather patterns signify the complexity of current climate shifts and their tangible impacts on diverse regions across the U.S. as cities prepare for both extreme warmth in the West and unforgiving cold in the Midwest.