US Records 44.4°C in March as Scientists Call Unprecedented Heat Wave a Once-in-500-Years Event
Scientists say the extreme March heat wave would be virtually impossible without human-induced climate change.
A record-breaking heat wave sweeping across the United States has been described by scientists as a “once-in-500-years” event, with experts linking the extreme temperatures directly to human-induced climate change. The unusual early-season heat has shattered records across western regions and is expected to expand further east in the coming days.
According to reports, at least 65 cities have already recorded their highest-ever March temperatures, spanning states such as California, Arizona, and Idaho. In desert areas near the California-Arizona border, temperatures soared to 44.4°C (112°F), marking a new national record for March.
Extreme conditions were also observed in typically cooler regions. Death Valley recorded temperatures of around 40°C, while San Francisco matched its historic March high at 29°C. Even mountainous areas like Colorado saw unusually warm weather, with skiers reportedly hitting the slopes in shirt sleeves.
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The National Weather Service has issued extreme heat warnings across large parts of the southwest, including Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Authorities have also cautioned residents against leaving children or pets inside vehicles due to the dangerous conditions.
Climate scientists from the World Weather Attribution said such an event would have been “virtually impossible” without climate change, estimating its likelihood at once every 500 years under current conditions. Friederike Otto of Imperial College London warned that traditional seasonal patterns are rapidly shifting, putting vulnerable populations, especially outdoor workers, at increased risk.
Experts say the heat wave underscores the accelerating impact of global warming, driven largely by fossil fuel emissions. With the Northern Hemisphere just entering spring, the extreme temperatures are already affecting ecosystems, triggering early blooming of plants and raising concerns about long-term environmental disruption.
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