Heatwave and Wildfire Threats Loom Over Much of the U. S. This Weekend

A sweeping heat and fire danger is set to sweep across the United States over the next few days. Weather officials warn that more than 47 million people—from the Great Plains to the Southeast—should stay vigilant.

Strong Winds and Dry Conditions

• Plains:
• Wind speeds between 30–60 mph.

• Low moisture and dry vegetation heighten the risk of rapid fire spread.

• Gulf Coast & Inland:
• The same wind and dryness affect cities such as:
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
• Jackson, Mississippi
• Birmingham, Alabama
• Tallahassee, Florida
• Charleston, South Carolina
• Asheville, North Carolina

Action: Residents in these areas should keep fire safety measures ready and monitor local advisories.

Temperature Variations Across the Country

• Midwest & Northeast:
• A cool break follows earlier hot spring days.
• Chicago and New York City will feel cooler on Saturday, but may return to normal summer highs by Monday.

• Some areas could see 10–20 °F less heat than Friday’s record highs.

• Last Day of March Records:
• Savannah, GA – 89 °F
• Columbia, SC – 88 °F
• Phoenix, AZ – 102 °F
• Death Valley, CA – 101 °F
• Tucson, AZ – 98 °F

Weekend Outlook: Potential new highs for Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Record-Breaking March

• March 15–26: Over 100 monthly records and 700 daily records broken or tied.
• Since March 1: More than 1,100 daily records nationwide.

Looking Ahead to April

• Expected shift: Warmer than normal weather in the east; near‑normal temperatures in the west.
• The Southeast will continue pushing record heat with no break anticipated over the weekend.

Stay informed, stay prepared, and keep safety as your top priority during this intense heatwave period.