Historic heat dome targets Scottsdale this week

Still Think March is Mild? Think Again.

Pack away those light jackets and dust off the sunscreen, Scottsdale — because what's coming next week has absolutely no business arriving in March.

Meteorologists are forecasting extreme heat across The Valley as a powerful ridge of high pressure prepares to park itself directly over the desert Southwest and just sit there, like an uninvited houseguest with a blowtorch. Temperatures in the Phoenix metro are forecast to hit triple digits as early as Tuesday, March 17 — St. Patrick's Day — and stay there through the following weekend.

Here's how wild that is: the earliest Phoenix has ever hit 100 degrees was March 26, 1988. This heat wave could beat that benchmark by more than a week. Forecasters say we could log as many as six consecutive 100-degree days before the end of March. To put that in perspective, the average date of Phoenix's first triple-digit day is May 2. May. Two.

Temperatures are already running hot this weekend, with yesterday's high hitting 93 degrees — a record, and 16 degrees above normal. An extreme heat watch is in effect Thursday through Sunday for the Valley and much of southern Arizona, with afternoon highs in the 100-to-105-degree range. One meteorologist noted that if the heat peaks high enough, it could rival or surpass the all-time April record of 105 degrees — meaning this March heat wave may be competing with a different month entirely.

For spring breakers, spring trainers, and anyone planning outdoor time this week: hydrate early, take breaks in the shade, and do not underestimate this one.

History is about to get rewritten right here in the Valley.

Sources: AZ Family | Fox 10 Phoenix | KTAR | National Weather Service