SoCal March Heat Wave Smashes Records, Feels More Summer Than Spring

Southern California and the Southwest are in the grip of a record-breaking heat wave through the week, with high temps in the 90s to around 110 degrees, including North Shore’s 108-degree day tying a national March record and a nearby Arizona town hitting 110. Extreme heat warnings continue into Friday as officials urge precautions against heat illness, and some residents faced daylong power outages. Forecasters expect a modest cool-down this weekend as high pressure eases, followed by a rebound next week; meanwhile dry grasses from a wet winter raise wildfire concerns, and snowmelt could strain reservoirs if the pattern stays dry.