States across the US south-west recorded blistering temperatures at the tail end of winter, with forecasts indicating hotter days are still to come.
California, Nevada and Arizona were all under heat warnings on Thursday amid record-breaking temperatures.
In California, the National Weather Service (NWS) said the Los Angeles area was facing “extremely rare heat for March”, warning residents of a high risk for heat illness. Palm Springs, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles, is expected to reach a high of 108F on Thursday. Heat alerts remain in effect through Sunday.
“Temperatures are 25-35 degrees above normal,” the NWS Los Angeles heat advisory said, adding: “Many daily records will be shattered.”
Several daily heat records were already broken Tuesday across more than a dozen areas in Los Angeles, the NWS posted on X.
Though not as scorching, the heat has also reached Northern California, with San Francisco facing a moderate heat risk – two levels below “extreme.”
In Reno, Nevada, the week has brought record-setting warmth, with temperatures expected to peak Friday. Las Vegas, meanwhile, already set a March record on Wednesday.
“Daily and monthly temperature records continue to be rewritten as this historic March heatwave persists into next week,” NWS Las Vegas said on Thursday.
Phoenix was under an extreme heat warning Thursday, with afternoon temperatures expected to reach 105F. “For some perspective, the average first 105° day of the year normally occurs on May 22nd,” reads a post from the weather service.
NWS’s Phoenix office said: “Daily records will be broken each day through Sunday and by as much as 10 degrees,” with a peak expected for Friday.
Temperatures are expected to cool next week, with Los Angeles dipping into the low-to-mid 80s fahrenheit.
Some western national parks that were preparing for spring break crowds urged people to check the forecast before heading out. High temperatures at White Sands national park in New Mexico could reach the mid 90sF (around 35C). Grand Canyon national park in Arizona was under an extreme heat warning, with temperatures possibly hitting 104F (40C) in some places.
Park officials warned hikers to avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, which they identify as 10am to 4pm.
Hiking trails at Lake Mead national recreation area were closed amid the heat wave, according to a notice from the National Park Service.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.