An unprecedented March heat wave is scorching California and the Southwest, with temperatures soaring 15 to 30 degrees above normal. Forecasters predict desert areas could reach 110°F, while coastal cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles will see temperatures in the 80s and 90s.

Meteorologists describe this event as a heat dome building over the region, where high-pressure systems trap warm air near the surface. Phoenix could hit 105°F by Thursday, potentially setting records for its earliest 100-degree day. San Francisco is expected to reach 80°F or higher for five consecutive days, unusual even during summer months.

Dozens of daily temperature records are expected to fall across the West, with some cities poised to break March records that have stood for over 100 years. The heat will persist through next week and possibly beyond, with models suggesting the warm conditions could migrate north into Nevada, Utah, and Colorado.