Lake Mead National Recreation Area has closed several hiking trails due to a severe heat wave affecting the western United States. The National Park Service has shut down trails like Goldstrike Hot Springs and Arizona Hot Springs until conditions improve. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for Lake Mead and surrounding areas in California, Arizona, and Nevada, predicting temperatures to soar 20-30 degrees above normal. This early-season heat is unusual for March, with temperatures typically seen in late spring or early summer. The heat dome affecting the region is expected to persist, posing a significant risk of heat-related illnesses.