San Francisco Records Historic March Temperatures Amid Nationwide Heat Wave
San Francisco made headlines on Friday as the city hit a scorching 90 degrees, marking the highest March temperature ever recorded. This unprecedented heat was part of a larger heat wave that affected regions from California to the Great Plains, resulting in numerous record-breaking temperatures across the United States.
A Milestone for San Francisco’s Weather
At just before 4 p.m., the downtown weather station located on Mint Hill, near Duboce Park, achieved an astounding 90 degrees, surpassing the previous March record of 87 degrees set in 2005. This year’s milestone also means that San Francisco experienced its earliest 90-degree reading—arriving more than two weeks ahead of the previous record.
Nearby Cities Join in the Record-Breaking Trend
San Francisco wasn’t alone in its record-setting day. Oakland reached 91 degrees, smashing its former daily March record of 78 degrees set back in 2001 by a whopping 13 degrees. Meanwhile, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) recorded 89 degrees, making it the hottest March day in its history. Other locations, including Redwood City at 93 degrees and San Rafael at 89 degrees, tied historical March records.
Further afield, cities such as Santa Rosa, Napa, Richmond, and San Jose also smashed daily temperature records, with the entire Bay Area experiencing temperatures 20 to 30 degrees above normal.
A Nationwide Heat Wave
The extreme temperatures weren’t limited to California. Nearly 200 daily temperature records were established across 19 states on Friday, with over 90 records occurring in California alone.
March Heat Records Across the Region
In Riverside County, Dos Palmas, near the Salton Sea, reached a staggering 111 degrees, marking a new state record for March. Other significant records were set in cities such as Sacramento, Redding, Palm Springs, and Escondido.
The hottest readings on Friday came from an area about 500 miles southeast, where reports indicated temperatures soaring to 112 degrees in Arizona and southeastern California. If validated by the National Weather Service, these temperatures would mark the highest March readings ever in the United States, just shy of the April national record of 113 degrees, set in Death Valley in both 1946 and 2012.
Looking Ahead: Cooldown Forecast
Friday marked the final day of this remarkable heat wave, with a significant cooldown anticipated over the weekend. The ridge of high pressure responsible for the soaring temperatures is projected to flatten out, allowing the marine layer to move back into the city. San Francisco’s forecast high for Saturday is a much cooler 73 degrees, nearly 20 degrees lower than the previous day’s high.
What’s Next for the Region?
As temperatures in the Bay Area drop back into the 70s and 80s on Saturday, a further cooling trend is expected to settle in by Sunday, with many areas experiencing highs in the 60s.
Stay informed and prepared for the changing weather by following updates from reliable sources and meteorological services.
For additional insights into climate trends and local weather conditions, check out NOAA or follow your local meteorological services.
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