Record-Breaking March Heat in Continental U.S. Raises Climate Concerns
• March 2026 recorded as the hottest March ever in the continental U.S., with temperatures significantly above the 20th-century average.
• The extreme heat is linked to human-induced climate change and could be exacerbated by a potential super El Niño event.
• The record-breaking temperatures highlight the urgent need for climate action to mitigate future extreme weather events.
Hottest March ever in continental United States
March 2026 was the hottest March ever recorded in the continental United States, with average temperatures reaching 50.85°F (10.47°C), a significant 9.35°F (5.19°C) above the 20th-century average. This unprecedented heat surpassed the previous record set in March 2012, according to NOAA data. The average maximum temperature also exceeded the 20th-century average by 11.4°F (6.3°C). This extreme heat is part of a broader trend, with six of the top ten hottest months occurring in the last decade, and the period from April 2025 to March 2026 marking the warmest 12-month span on record for the region.
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