Why Is Southern California So Hot in March 2026?

Burbank hit 97 degrees Wednesday, shattering the city’s previous March record of 89 degrees set back in 1978. And forecasters say the heat is not finished.

The Extreme Heat Warning blanketing Southern California this week has turned March into something that feels like late July, and meteorologists say a single, stubborn weather system is responsible for all of it.

NBC Los Angeles meteorologist Belen De Leon points to a massive high-pressure system parked over the Southwest as the primary driver. High-pressure systems are common in March, but this one is different in scale and staying power.

“During March, usually we see high-pressure systems, but they’re weaker and they don’t last very long,” De Leon said. “But right now, we have a massive, record-strong, high-pressure system over the Southwest, and it’s not just affecting us here in Southern California.”

The key factor is how high the system extends into the atmosphere. De Leon described it as “very tall,” more characteristic of a midsummer weather pattern than a mid-March one. The height matters because of what happens to air when a powerful system pushes it downward.

“The taller and the stronger that high-pressure system is, the more air it pushes down,” she said. “And when air sinks, it warms and it compresses. When that air compresses, it heats up. Plus, we’ve got clear skies, wall-to-wall sunshine. That’s what causes the temperatures to climb so quickly during the day.”

What makes this stretch especially unusual is that the system is not moving. There is nothing in the current atmospheric pattern strong enough to push it out, which means the heat keeps building day over day rather than cycling out after 48 hours the way a typical warm spell might.

“The heat is building, records are falling, and even our nights are unusually warm,” De Leon said.

Wednesday’s numbers across the region made the point clearly. Downtown Los Angeles hit 95 degrees, breaking a 1997 record by eight degrees. Long Beach reached 91, surpassing a mark set in 1960. Woodland Hills topped out at 100 degrees. Riverside hit 98, breaking a record that had stood since 1914.

Burbank’s 97 degrees was among the most striking figures on the board, beating a record that had survived for 48 years. Residents near the Verdugo Mountains and throughout the flatlands around San Fernando Boulevard and Magnolia Park felt the full force of it Wednesday afternoon, with little cloud cover and no marine layer to blunt the sun.

NBCLA meteorologist David Biggar said Thursday and Friday will continue in the same direction, with more all-time March records likely to fall across the region. Palm Springs, he noted, may approach the record for the hottest March day ever recorded in the United States.

For Burbank specifically, the risk goes beyond discomfort. Extended heat in a city where many residents work outdoors on studio lots, construction sites, and in the parks and recreation sector puts real strain on people who do not have the option to stay inside. The Burbank Unified School District and city recreation programs typically operate spring schedules this time of year, and midday outdoor activities carry added risk when temperatures push toward triple digits.

The city’s cooling centers are available for residents who need relief. Information on locations and hours is available through the City of Burbank’s website and the Burbank Recreation and Parks Department.

De Leon characterized Thursday and Friday as the peak of this heat event before any modest relief arrives. But even the cooldown phase will be gradual, with nighttime temperatures staying warmer than normal throughout the stretch.

For anyone planning outdoor time in Burbank this week, the advice from forecasters is consistent: limit exposure during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, and check on neighbors who may not have air conditioning. The weather will shift eventually. This week, though, the atmosphere is not cooperating.