Heatwave scorching US west ‘virtually impossible’ without climate crisis, say scientists

Danny Thomas, 38 (left), known as ‘the Bubbleman’, and Gwyneth Manierre, 24, at the Venice Beach skate park on 11 March 2026. Photograph: Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

The record-breaking heatwave scorching the US west this week would have been “virtually impossible” if not for the climate crisis, a team of scientists has determined.

Millions of Americans from the Pacific coast to the Rockies baked under unseasonably warm and even dangerous temperatures this week, with temperatures up to 30F (17C) above average for the time of year.