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7h ago

Arizona’s Martinez Lake Hits 110°F, Setting New U.S. March Heat Record

Extreme heat warnings persist through Sunday with forecasters calling for additional March records.

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A person wears a hat for shade under the morning sun while walking along The Strand in Redondo Beach, California on March 20, 2026, during a heat wave. A record early heat wave striking the west of the United States on March 20 is a one-in-500-years type event and all but certainly the result of human-caused climate change, experts say. The heat has been toppling records this week and was set to continue into the weekend across western cities, expanding eastward. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Federal forecasters confirmed a 110°F reading near Martinez Lake on March 19, surpassing the prior U.S. March record of 108°F set in 1954 in Rio Grande City, Texas.
  • A Southwest heat wave has toppled records in multiple cities including Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco, with the National Weather Service reporting more than 50 March records and over 150 daily records since March 17.
  • Excessive heat warnings remain in effect through Sunday evening for western and southern Arizona, southern Nevada and southeastern California, with officials urging people to stay hydrated and limit outdoor exposure.
  • Forecasts called for Yuma to reach about 107°F and El Centro about 106°F, which would exceed their March records of 99°F and 98°F respectively.
  • Businesses at Martinez Lake reported larger crowds following the record, as visitors sought water recreation while medical and safety officials warned about heat-related illnesses.