While winter is not officially over yet, an unusual heatwave for the season is hitting parts of the southwest United States, with temperatures well above normal.
In several areas of Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada, the US National Weather Service (NWS) has issued alerts for extreme heat. In Las Vegas, southern Nevada, temperatures reached 35°C on Thursday, with expected highs up to 41.6°C over the weekend, far beyond the usual records for the month of March.
The first major heatwave
“We are recording much higher temperatures than normal,” said Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist at the NWS. She also stated that this is “the first major heatwave this year… following periods of cooler temperatures,” emphasizing that local populations are not yet acclimatized to these conditions.
Facing this “extremely rare for March” event, the NWS recommends prioritizing air-conditioned spaces and staying hydrated regularly. The phenomenon is also extending to northern Mexico, also affected by this unusual rise in temperatures.
A series of extreme events in 2025
According to scientists, this type of event is part of a broader trend linked to climate change. The year 2025 was marked by a succession of extreme events (heatwaves, storms, cyclones, and fires) whose frequency and intensity are increasing globally.
“We will probably continue to break daily and historical records in certain regions,” warns Rose Schoenfeld, as these early temperatures could also disrupt ecosystems, on the eve of the northern hemisphere’s transition to spring on March 20.
