Historic western heat wave shatters 500+ records as oppressive conditions expand east

The FOX Forecast Center is tracking the most intense March heat wave ever observed in the U.S. which is baking the western U.S. The heat will peak Friday and Saturday across parts of California, Arizona and New Mexico, with more than 40 million people under heat alerts. Thermal, California, reached 108 degrees Thursday, tying the record for warmest recorded March temperature in U.S. history. Phoenix hit 105 degrees Thursday, which is now its warmest March day on record. The record heat will expand into the Plains states this weekend.