Record Heat Wave Sweeps Across the Western and Central United States

A historic heat wave impacting the western half of the United States is expanding eastward, bringing unseasonably high temperatures to regions that experienced freezing conditions just a week ago.

Unprecedented Temperatures Shatter Records

Dozens of cities, from California to Colorado, have registered record-breaking high temperatures for the month of March, according to the National Weather Service. On Saturday, Kansas City, Missouri and North Platte, Nebraska, both reached 33.3°C (91.9°F), setting new March temperature records.

Rapid Temperature Swings

The rapid shift in temperatures has been particularly striking. For example, Chanute, Kansas, experienced a low of -10.5°C (13.1°F) on March 16th, followed just four days later by a record high of 32.8°C (91°F).

Peak Temperatures and Wildfire Risk

On Friday, temperatures soared to 44.4°C (111.9°F) in areas along the California-Arizona border, establishing a new national record for the month of March. The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for these desert regions on Saturday, alongside a high-risk fire weather alert for much of the central Plains states – Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Climate Change Connection

A report by World Weather Attribution (WWA), a group of international scientists studying the link between extreme weather events and climate change, determined that this record-breaking heat wave would have been “virtually impossible at this time of year in a world without climate change.”

U.S. States and Territories

The United States comprises 50 states, a federal district (Washington, D.C.), five major territories, and minor islands.[1]

Disclaimer: This article is based on information available as of March 22, 2026, and is subject to change.