HAPPINESS

IS A WARM CUP

March 12, 2026 11:56 am

Strengthening high pressure aloft and weak offshore flow will bring near-record high temperatures to much of southwestern California today and inland from the coast on Friday. Onshore flow for the weekend will bring some cooling for the coast into the valleys but with high temperatures remaining well above average. For next week, stronger high pressure aloft will bring additional warming for inland areas with record or near-record heat for March for much of next week. Widespread moderate or greater Heat Risk is expected for much of next week beginning on Monday for the valleys, inland Orange County, and the lower deserts with heat-related illnesses likely for sensitive populations.

Intense clipper-like system will bring a swath of moderate to heavy snow across the Upper Great Lakes Thursday night. Widespread high wind event expected from the northern Rockies to the Upper Midwest today; Critical Risk of fire weather for the central/southern High Plains. Active Atmospheric River pattern bringing heavy lower elevation/coastal rain and high elevation snow to the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. A prolonged period of well above average heat for March will begin to build over the western U.S. heading into the weekend.