California hits all-time U.S. high for winter heat California tied the highest winter temperature ever recorded in the U.S. on Wednesday as a heatwave intensified and broke records across the state. A weather station in the Dos Palmas Preserve of eastern Coachella Valley recorded 108 degrees, matching the U.S. March record set by Rio Grande City, Texas, according to weather historian Christopher Burt. This temperature also marks California’s highest ever for any winter month. The data are preliminary, as noted by the National Weather Service. Nearby stations in Indio and Thermal, Riverside County, reached 107 degrees, while Palm Springs hit 105, its hottest March temperature on record. The extreme heat was primarily confined to desert regions, but one of the most unusual readings came from the Sierra Nevada. South Lake Tahoe’s high of 76 degrees was 5 degrees above any other March day since temperature records began there in 1969. The National Weather Service’s Reno office warned that record-breaking temperatures were expected for two more days, with a strong chance of breaking the monthly record on Thursday and Friday. While coastal areas saw slightly cooler temperatures compared to Tuesday, many locations still set daily and monthly records, from Wine Country to Orange County. In the Bay Area, Redwood City was the hottest spot for the second consecutive day, reaching 90 degrees. Santa Rosa followed with 89, Richmond hit 88, and San Rafael and San Jose measured 87. Oakland reached 85, San Francisco International Airport hit 81, and Half Moon Bay recorded 79. In the Central Valley, Fresno, Bakersfield, Stockton, Merced, and Fresno set monthly temperature records, while Sacramento tied its highest March temperature.#california #national_weather_service #coachella_valley #dos_palmas_preserve #christopher_burt
