A Spring Heat Wave | March 27, 2025

Summary

CNN 10's March 27th episode covers a variety of current events, starting with a spring heatwave sweeping across the southwestern U.S., breaking temperature records. The episode then shifts to a Cold War story about Camp Century, a secret U.S. military base in Greenland, followed by news of Santorini reopening after a series of earthquakes. The episode wraps up with a lighthearted feature on a domesticated skunk, Mr. Sushi, who brings joy to people in Iowa. Host Coy Wire shares uplifting messages and acknowledges the growing CNN 10 community, reminding viewers to embrace happiness in the moment.

Takeaways

• 🌡️ A spring heat wave is sweeping across the southwestern U.S., with cities like Phoenix, Arizona, reaching nearly 100°F, marking some of the earliest high temperatures on record for the area.
• 🌍 The heat wave is also affecting cities in California, including Bakersfield and Sacramento, which have broken high-temperature records from 1997.
• ⚡ The Pacific Northwest, including Portland and Seattle, is experiencing rare thunderstorms due to the unseasonable heat, an occurrence not seen in over three decades.
• 🌞 Despite the calendar saying it's spring, the western U.S. is feeling more like summer, with potential record-breaking high temperatures expected across the region.
• 🌍 Phoenix, Arizona, could experience its earliest 100°F day on record, a significant milestone in the ongoing heatwave.
• 🎓 A 10-second trivia question revealed that NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was created in 1949 during the Cold War to counter Soviet Union tensions.
• ❄️ Camp Century, a U.S. military base in Greenland, operated under the ice during the 1960s, housing about 200 personnel and powered by a nuclear reactor.
• 🛠️ The secret purpose of Camp Century was to hide missile launch sites in the Arctic, though it remained undisclosed for decades until declassified in the 1990s.
• ⛷️ Dr. Robert Weiss, who served at Camp Century in 1962, shared his experience of life in the underground base, where soldiers lived without seeing daylight and engaged in various activities like reading and playing chess.
• 🌋 Santorini, a famous Greek island, has reopened to tourists after being rocked by earthquakes in January and February 2025. Despite the recent seismic activity, tourists are excited to return to the island.
• 💖 Santorini's reopening is seen as a hopeful sign for the island's tourism industry, which is a major source of income for the local population, with over 3.4 million annual visitors.

Q & A

What unusual weather event is being reported in the southwestern United States?

The southwestern United States is experiencing an early spring heat wave, with cities like Phoenix, Arizona, reaching record high temperatures for this time of year. Phoenix came close to hitting 100°F, marking one of the earliest 100° days in the city's history.

What is significant about the heat wave in Phoenix, Arizona?

Phoenix reached 99°F, just shy of the 100°F mark. If the forecasted temperature had been reached, it would have marked the earliest 100° day in the city's history. The typical first 100° day occurs on May 11th.

Which cities in California are affected by the heat wave?

Cities in California such as Bakersfield and Sacramento set new high temperature records, reaching 91°F and 88°F, respectively, surpassing records from 1997.

How is the Pacific Northwest affected by the heat wave?

The Pacific Northwest, including cities like Portland and Seattle, is experiencing rare early season thunderstorms due to the high temperatures, which haven't been seen in decades.

What organization was created during the Cold War, and what was its purpose?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was created in 1949 as a military alliance between North American and European countries in response to tensions with the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

What was Camp Century, and why is it historically significant?

Camp Century was a remote Arctic research base in Greenland, built during the Cold War to hide missile launch sites from the Soviet Union. It was an underground facility powered by a nuclear reactor, and its true purpose was declassified in the 1990s.

Who is Dr. Robert Weiss, and what was his role at Camp Century?

Dr. Robert Weiss was an American physician who served at Camp Century in Greenland in 1962. He was drafted into the military and worked at the base, which was a top-secret military operation during the Cold War.

What is the current situation in Santorini, Greece, after the recent earthquakes?

Santorini, Greece, has reopened to tourists after experiencing a series of earthquakes earlier in the year. The first cruise ship of the season arrived, signaling hope for the island's recovery and return to normalcy.

How many earthquakes affected Santorini, and what was the range of their magnitudes?

Santorini experienced over 1,200 earthquakes, with magnitudes ranging from 1.0 to 5.2. These quakes caused significant disruption, including school closures and halted construction work.

What is the unique story about a domesticated skunk in Iowa?

In Iowa, a domesticated skunk named Mr. Sushi is bringing joy to people he meets. He is legally owned in one of the 17 states where domesticated skunks are permitted, and has become a source of smiles, despite the usual reputation of skunks for their smell.