A strong upper level Ridge was in place across Central California from March 17th through the end of the month. As a result, well above average temperatures with record high temperatures were observed across the San Joaquin Valley during the period.
Every event with a place to put it; 5 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS HNX wrote it up.
A strong upper level Ridge was in place across Central California from March 17th through the end of the month. As a result, well above average temperatures with record high temperatures were observed across the San Joaquin Valley during the period. The first 90s of the year popped up on March 17th with some daily record high temperatures being broken.
However, the 18th brought monthly record high temperatures being tied or exceeded for most of the region, while similar highs occurred until the 21st. The above average temperatures continued through the 29th, although high temperatures were not quite as warm after the 22nd. Highs rose to the mid to upper 80s from the 23rd until the 29th in the warmest locations. Above average temperatures also persisted on the 30th, but were not quite as warm as during recent days.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Hanford, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 18, 10:44 AM PST, 5 hours 16 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 1144 AM PDT Wed Mar 18 2026 && .KEY MESSAGES... 1. A warming trend will continue this week with afternoon temperatures approaching 20 to 25 degrees above average today through Saturday. 2. Daily and monthly record high maximum temperatures will be challenged this week. 3. Practice cold water safety, as waterways will be running cold and fast over the next several days. && .DISCUSSION... The high pressure ridge aloft continues to bring well above normal (possibly record-breaking) temperatures to the region through Saturday, with highs in the Valley expected to be in the lower 90's during this time period. The highs in the Mojave Desert are likely to be a few degrees higher, into the mid to upper 90's. Chances for highs of 95 degrees on Friday (expected to be the warmest day) in the Valley are 50 to 75% on the west side and 25 to 50% closer to the center and on the east side, indicating slightly cooler temperatures in the center of the Valley, and warmer highs on the west side into the Coastal Range. Chances for triple digits in the Mojave Desert are currently 5 to 15% in much of the area, as well as the Valley. Moving into the weekend, this ridge is expected to weaken into a more zonal flow, with the possibility for small shortwave trough to move through the region as well. This will lead to a significant decrease in temperatures, bringing them down into the 80's in the Valley and the lower 90's in the desert, which would still be several degrees above normal, but will likely bring the Heat Risk down out of the minor to moderate range. These above normal temperatures are also likely to stick around into the long range forecast, as the CPC continues to have the southwest in likely above normal temperatures for the 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks. && .AVIATION... VFR conditions are expected for the next 24 hours. && .FIRE WEATHER... Warming air temperatures and steady dew point temperatures will lead to a decrease in minimum relative humidities, especially for the Mojave Desert, high Sierra, and Coastal Range. This will coincide with a sharp decrease in 100- and 1000-hr dead fuel moistures and an increase in ERC in these areas. Rapid curing of fine fuels will bring about some risk for isolated grass fires. However, live fuel moisture remains below critical thresholds and significant wild fire potential remains at little or no risk. && .AIR QUALITY ISSUES... None. && .CERTAINTY... The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is medium. The level of certainty for days 3 through 7 is medium. Certainty levels include low...medium...and high. Please visit www.weather.gov/hnx/certainty.html for additional information and/or to provide feedback. && .HNX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && EW weather.gov/hanford
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
5 heat. Local standard time, as filed.
Record high maximum temperature of 95 degrees set, which broke the record of 92 degrees previously set for the date in 2004. It also broke the monthly record of 94 degrees previously set in 1916 and 2004. Record high minimum temperature of 59 degrees set, which broke the old record of 58 degrees last set for the date in 2004.
Record high maximum temperature of 92 degrees set, which broke the record of 87 degrees previously set for the date in 2004 It also breaks the monthly record of 91 degrees previously set in 2015. Record high minimum temperature of 59 degrees set, which broke the old record of 57 degrees last set for the date in 1910.
Record high maximum temperature of 91 degrees set, which broke the record of 87 degrees previously set for the date in 2004.
Madera Record high maximum temperature of 91 degrees set, which broke the record of 88 degrees previously set for the date in 1972 It also ties the monthly record of 91 degrees previously set in 2015. Record high minimum temperature of 50 degrees tied, which also last occurred on the date in 2005.
Record high maximum temperature of 89 degrees set in Merced, which broke the record of 86 degrees previously set for the date in 1972 It also breaks the monthly record of 88 degrees previously set in 1972 and 2015.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in California, March 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1316069, 1316092, 1316097, 1316099, 1316102.