Weather whiplash hits U.S. with California heat wave and Midwest winter storm recovery

A dramatic weather divide is unfolding across the United States.

(CNN)- A dramatic weather divide is unfolding across the United States, with an unusually early and intense heat wave scorching the West while the Midwest and East Coast continue recovering from a powerful winter storm.

The extreme contrast—often called “weather whiplash”—is bringing record-setting heat to parts of California and the Southwest, even as other regions dig out from snow, wind damage, and tornadoes.

In Los Angeles, rising temperatures are already impacting daily life, especially in places without reliable air conditioning.

“At our school the A-C isn’t always working, and on the hottest days it tends to break down,” said teacher Carla Preciado. “Today is a nice break to come and get some fresh air and get some free A-C.”

Northern California is also feeling the effects of the early-season heat. Businesses are making adjustments to keep cool.

“We’ve got the doors open, the fans on, we cooled the lights a little bit,” said Alicia Stamps, general manager of Brenda’s Meat and Three.

San Francisco is currently in the middle of what forecasters say will be a five-day heat wave, with a heat advisory in effect through Friday evening. Meteorologists warn temperatures could challenge or break records for this time of year.

“Very hot but not as hot as it’s going to get,” said Eva Thomlinson, preparing for even higher temperatures.

Nearly 50 million people—from San Francisco to Los Angeles, and into Las Vegas and Phoenix—are under heat alerts. Forecasters say some areas could see temperatures 20 to 30 degrees above normal for mid-March, with some locations reaching as much as 40 degrees above average—levels more typical of April or later in the spring.

Meanwhile, communities across the Midwest and East Coast are still dealing with the aftermath of a destructive, multi-day winter storm that brought heavy snowfall, strong winds, and tornadoes.

As cleanup efforts continue in those regions, officials are urging residents nationwide to stay alert as extreme weather impacts both ends of the country.