climate
3/17/2026
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Phoenix Braces for Historic March Heat Wave, Shattering 38-Year Record

Phoenix Braces for Historic March Heat Wave, Shattering 38-Year Record
AI-Generated Summary

The Phoenix metropolitan area is bracing for a historic and potentially record-shattering heat wave this week, with forecasts predicting temperatures will soar past 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Meteorologists warn this could mark the earliest 100-degree day in the city's recorded history, breaking a record that has stood since March 26, 1988. The heat is expected to be not just a single-day spike but an extended stretch, with some forecasts indicating up to five consecutive days above 100 degrees, a phenomenon never before seen in March. This 'unprecedented' early-season blast of heat is expected to affect all of Arizona, with Phoenix and Yuma forecast to see the highest temperatures. The intensity of the incoming weather has already prompted significant disruptions, including the rescheduling of several Cactus League Spring Training baseball games to avoid the peak afternoon heat. Outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers, are also scrambling to adjust their plans to 'beat the heat' during a time of year typically associated with milder conditions. The impending heat wave underscores Phoenix's status as one of America's hottest major cities, which averages around 125 days per year above 100°F. Current projections suggest temperatures may remain elevated through the coming weekend before gradually easing back into the 90s early next week. Officials and residents are being urged to take precautions as winter ends abruptly and summer-like conditions arrive weeks ahead of schedule, setting the stage for what could be a long and intense warm season.

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Sources

Phoenix Will see 5 days of over 100 degree weather This Week - Climate Crisis 247

climatecrisis247.com
50%

Sources: PBS, KIZZ, Axios, Weather-dot-gov, ABC News, Extreme Weather Watch, NPR, Weather.com, and NOAA. ... By David Callaway, Callaway Climate Insights (Mark Hulbert, author and longtime investment columnist, is the founder of the Hulbert…

This has never happened before in March in Phoenix | 12news.com

www.12news.com
50%

Temperatures could reach as high ... in Phoenix during March and hotter than the city’s current all-time April record. The extended stretch of heat may also continue beyond the workweek. Current forecasts show temperatures staying above 100 degrees through next weekend before gradually easing back into the 90s early next week. The heat wave will also ...

What to know about metro Phoenix seeing record-setting heat this week

www.yahoo.com
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The temperatures could shatter a heat record previously set in 1988, when Phoenix hit the 100-degree mark on March 26. All of Arizona will be affected by the heat wave, though the usual hotspots like Phoenix and Yuma will see the highest temperatures.

Triple digits will shatter Phoenix heat records this week

www.azfamily.com
50%

Phoenix could experience its first 100+ degree day of the year as early as Wednesday.

Hikers scramble to 'beat the heat' as heat wave pushes temps toward triple digits | FOX 10 Phoenix

www.fox10phoenix.com
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A record-shattering March heat wave is pushing Valley temperatures toward 100°F this week, an unprecedented spike that could mark the earliest triple-digit day in Phoenix history.

Heat wave prompts Cactus League to move games | FOX 10 Phoenix

www.fox10phoenix.com
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Cactus League officials say a number of Spring Training games this week have been rescheduled as a result of the impending heat wave.

What to know about 'historic' heat wave coming to metro Phoenix

www.azcentral.com
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Winter is ending early for metro Phoenix as an “unprecedented” March heat wave is delivering record-breaking temperatures starting this weekend.

Phoenix temperatures could reach 100 degrees in record heat wave

www.azcentral.com
50%

The record for earliest 100-degree day in Phoenix has stood for 38 years, but that could change.

Phoenix Will See 5 Days Of Over 100 Degree Weather This Week

www.yahoo.com
50%

Among large American cities, Phoenix stands alone. It averages around 125 days per year above 100°F — nearly double that of Las Vegas, the second-highest city, which averages 78 such days. Sources: PBS, KIZZ, Axios, Weather-dot-gov, ABC News, Extreme Weather Watch, NPR, Weather.com, and NOAA.

This has never happened before in March in Phoenix | 12news.com

12news.com
50%

PHOENIX — The Phoenix area is on track to see record-shattering heat this week, with temperatures reaching triple digits earlier than ever recorded and potentially setting a new all-time March high. Temperatures are expected to climb past 100 degrees by Wednesday, which would mark the earliest ...

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