Is it SLO County’s hottest March? Historic heat wave smashes even more records
A historic heat wave is scorching the Central Coast this week — shattering multiple heat records across San Luis Obispo County.
On Wednesday, the temperature in Paso Robles reached 95 degrees, breaking the prior daily record of 86 degrees set in 2004, according to the National Weather Service
Paso Robles also broke its monthly heat record, set on March 27, 2015, at 93 degrees.
Meanwhile, the mercury reached 91 degrees in the San Luis Obispo on Wednesday — breaking the daily record of 83 degrees set in 2009, meteorologist John Lindsey said.
That was after Tuesday, when the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport set a new monthly record of 97 degrees, the weather service said. The prior record was 90 degrees set on March 12, 2007.
Finally, Hearst Castle set a new monthly record of 91 degrees on Tuesday. The prior record was 84 degrees, set on March 12, 2007.
This heat wave is driven by an area of high pressure sitting over the region, National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld told The Tribune.
Normally, the Central Coast experiences high-pressure systems like this in the summer.
“It’s very atypical to see it in March,” she said. “This is shaping out to be a pretty historic event.”
San Luis Obispo County could break a few more heat records this week, with temperatures forecast in the 90s for both San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles.
The highest temperature recorded at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport for Thursday is 81 degrees, set in 2015, according to data compiled by the weather service. The temperature could reach 98 degrees in San Luis Obispo on Thursday, positioning the city to beat that record.
Meanwhile, the daily record for the Paso Robles Municipal Airport for Thursday is 88 degrees, set in 1997. The forecast called for a high of 94 degrees, so the city could shatter that heat record, too.
The weather service placed a heat advisory on San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties until 8 p.m. Friday, warning of a high risk of heat illness for young children, the elderly and those without air conditioning.
Warm nighttime temperatures will contribute to the risk of heat illness.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the weather service said. “Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
Luckily, the high-pressure system should move out of the area this weekend, causing temperatures to drop into the 80s on Saturday and Sunday, Schoenfeld said.
This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM.
