Pasadena is headed for a burst of mid-March heat that is forecast to break daily high temperature records from Thursday through Saturday and tie the record on Sunday, with afternoon highs running more than 20 degrees above what residents typically see this time of year.
The string of unusually hot days will push temperatures into the mid-90s to upper 90s, putting much of the rest of the week closer to early summer than to a normal March.
Normal high temperatures for Pasadena in mid-March run in the low 70s. 1991–2020 climate normals showing daily maximums around 72 degrees, while the all-time record highs for March 11–15 are 95° (1916), 92° (2007), 91° (2013), 93° (2015) and 94° (2015), respectively.
Based on the latest forecast, Thursday is expected to top out at 95°, followed by highs of 97° on Friday, 95° on Saturday and 94° on Sunday — a setup that would break the March 12, 13 and 14 records and tie the March 15 record.
The heat wave is expected to intensify next week, with highs reaching 98 degrees by Tuesday. Forecasters warned that monthly temperature records may be challenged.
No rain is expected through at least March 22. Winds will remain light, with occasional morning gusts from Santa Ana conditions but below advisory levels.
The National Weather Service cautioned that heat stress will increase daily. Officials urged residents to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and never leave children or pets in vehicles.
Here is the Pasadena forecast from the National Weather Service as of 3:59 a.m. Wednesday:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 58. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 95. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 61.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 94.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.
Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 63.
Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
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