2026 Southwest U.S. heat wave joins list of "most astonishing weather events" of 21st century

 

Map and headline:  Yale Climate Connections, 4/3/2026

Jeff Masters and Bob Henson report:

The mind-blowing heat wave that gripped the southwest half of the United States in late March 2026 joins our semi-subjective top-six list of the meteorologically stunning extreme events this century that have most astonished us. Below is our list, including how the March 2026 mega-event compares to an earlier round of March climate madness.

The six weather events

1. Central and Eastern U.S. “warm wave” of March 2012
2. Climate change and the March heat waves of 2012 and 2026
3. Pacific Northwest and Western Canadian heat wave of June 2021
4. Russian heat wave and drought of 2010
5. Most extreme storm of the 21st century: Hurricane Sandy of October 2012 
6. Most extreme weather event of the 21st century: The mid-March 2022 heat wave in East Antarctica

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