In early spring, a heat wave broke the U.S all-time heat record for March. Temperatures in western states like California and Arizona reached a blistering 108 degrees.
However, the hotter western states are not the only ones with record-breaking temperatures. On March 30, 2026, temperatures in Des Moines reached 87 degrees, marking the highest temperature for Iowa in March ever.
The unprecedented heat has raised concerns regarding global warming, as experts say these record-breaking temperatures are undoubtedly a product of climate change. Scientists at the World Weather Attribution claimed that the heat wave would be “virtually impossible for this time of year in a world without human-induced climate change.”
In addition to shedding light on the growing global warming issue, the heat has caused problems across the country, posing a threat for wildfires and drought, and increasing the risk of heat exhaustion.
The heat is also causing issues right here at PVHS.
Because of the early heat, temperatures were inconsistent, and the air conditioning at PV was not turned on. In March, the maximum temperature in Bettendorf was 85 degrees, while the minimum was just 40 degrees. Such a range has led PV to hold off on the air conditioning until the weather becomes consistently warm.
English teacher Jessica Scadden’s classroom is in the main hallway, one of the oldest portions of the building. “My room has been anywhere from 77-80 degrees the past few days,” Scadden said. “I brought fans that I purchased with my own money into my room to help, but students consistently complain about their discomfort, which I completely understand.”
Math teacher Nick Sacco’s classroom is in the West Wing, the brand new portion of the school, where temperatures have also been extremely high. “These temperatures have been ideal for me because I am currently training for the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon,” Sacco said. “This is a race that begins in Death Valley, where temperatures are often above 120 degrees, so it’s actually not warm enough yet.”
The extreme heat has undeniably affected students and teachers alike. Scadden expressed her concern about how it has affected her students’ learning ability. “I have emailed many times throughout the school year in an attempt to get a more comfortable classroom for my students; however, we haven’t seen any relief in days and don’t expect to until the temperature decreases outside,” she explained. “The heat creates an environment where students are angry, can’t focus, and are very uncomfortable.”
Ultimately, the heat wave serves as a stark reminder of the escalating global warming crisis. As the temperatures continue to drastically fluctuate, students and staff can expect classrooms to remain uncomfortably warm.
