Heat waves and strong El Niño may bring extreme conditions, stressing resources and intensifying fire risks this year.
San Francisco: The US just had its third-hottest year on record. But 2025 was a quiet year with no big hurricanes hitting land. Fewer wildfires burned than the past 10 years. Now, experts say a big heat wave and a strong El Niño could change that soon.
The West is starting a record-breaking heat wave that will bring super-hot days to many states. The National Weather Service says it will last a long time, not just a few days. Some places in California, Arizona, and Nevada have heat warnings out. Parts of other states also have fire warnings.
A climate scientist says this ridge of high air pressure is the strongest seen in March outside of summer. Temperatures could break April and May records even though it’s still early spring. It’s also making dry snow problems worse in the mountains. Snow is needed to fill rivers later in the year.
Without much snow, rivers like the Colorado could run very low. Forty million people use its water. Less water means more trouble for farms, cities, and nature. Dry ground also makes fires more likely. Add in the chance of a strong El Niño this summer, and experts say we should expect more wild weather this year.