March heat wave expands

The Plains and Southeast will get a taste of summer this week as our potent March heat wave expands eastward.

A record-breaking heat wave is gripping the Southwest right now, thanks to a strong high-pressure system sitting over the region. Over the next couple of days, that system will drift east, pushing the heat into the Plains today, the Midwest by Thursday, and the Southeast by Friday.

The most intense heat is expected from today through tomorrow, with temperatures running 25 to 35 degrees above normal for this time of year. Cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Amarillo, Texas, and Tulsa, Okla., could set new record highs.

Many places from the central and southern Plains to the Mid-Mississippi Valley could see highs in the 90s tomorrow. Keep an eye on the TemperatureRadar, and make sure you stay hydrated if spending time outdoors.

By Friday, things should ease slightly as the system weakens, but it will still be quite warm, with temperatures in the Southeast nearing 90 degrees. Along the way, plenty of daily temperature records are likely to be tied or broken.