If you have camping plans in Arizona this spring, you may want to make sure your RV air conditioner is in good working order.
A recreation community near Martinez Lake, about 45 minutes north of Yuma along the Colorado River, just recorded 110 degrees – the hottest temperature ever measured in the United States during the month of March.
The reading surpasses the previous U.S. March temperature record of 108 degrees, which was set in Rio Grande City in 1954.
This record comes during a powerful early-season heat wave affecting large parts of the Southwest.
Extreme Heat Spreads Across the Southwest
The unusual temperatures are tied to a strong high-pressure system parked over the western United States. Meteorologists say the system has created a large dome of unusually hot air across Arizona, California, and Nevada.
The heat has pushed temperatures far above normal for mid-March.
For example, Phoenix reached 105 degrees on March 19, breaking the previous record for that date of 97 degrees set in 2017. On average, Phoenix does not see its first 100-degree day until around May 10.
More than 18 million people across Southern California, southern Nevada, and much of Arizona were under extreme heat warnings as the heat wave intensified.
In Los Angeles, temperatures reached 98 degrees on March 17, breaking a daily record that had stood since 1914.
RVers Take Note
The Southwest is one of the most popular spring destinations for RV travelers, especially snowbirds who spend the winter in Arizona and Southern California before gradually moving north.
Places like Yuma, Lake Havasu, and the lower Colorado River region typically see comfortable spring weather well into March and April.
A heat wave pushing temperatures into the 100- to 110-degree range this early in the season can create challenges for campers.
RV air conditioners may need to run continuously during the day, campground electrical demand can increase, and outdoor activities often shift to early morning or evening hours.
Campers traveling with pets also need to be cautious, since temperatures inside an RV can rise quickly when the sun is strong.
A Reminder That Desert Weather Can Change Quickly
While heat waves in the Southwest are common later in the spring and summer, temperatures reaching 110 degrees in March are extremely unusual.
For RV travelers heading into Arizona over the next few weeks, it may be worth checking air conditioning systems, monitoring weather forecasts, and planning activities around the cooler parts of the day.
Spring camping in the desert can still be enjoyable, but this year it is starting much hotter than usual.
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