A historic heat wave has gripped Arizona, setting unprecedented temperature records for March. Martinez Lake reached a scorching 110°F (43°C) on March 19, marking the highest March temperature ever recorded in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. This surpasses the previous record of 108°F (42°C) set in Rio Grande, Texas, in 1954. The extreme heat, fueled by a potent high-pressure system, has blanketed the Southwestern US, affecting Arizona, California, and other states. Phoenix also experienced record-breaking temperatures, soaring to 105°F (41°C) and eclipsing the previous record of 97°F (36°C) for the same date in 2017.