Record-breaking March Heat in Continental U.S. Raises Concerns
• March 2026 recorded as the hottest March in the continental U.S. in 132 years, with average temperatures 9.35°F above the 20th-century norm.
• NOAA reports average maximum temperatures were 11.4°F above historical averages, attributed to human-induced climate change and potential El Niño effects.
• The period from April 2025 to March 2026 was the warmest 12-month span on record for the U.S., with over 19,800 daily temperature records broken nationwide, raising concerns for agriculture, water resources, and public health.
Hottest March in 132 years recorded
In March 2026, the continental United States experienced its hottest March in 132 years, with an average temperature of 50.85°F (10.47°C), which is 9.35°F above the 20th-century average. This surpasses the previous record from March 2012. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that the average maximum temperature was 11.4°F above historical averages. Meteorologists attribute this heat to human-induced climate change, with a potential El Niño event possibly exacerbating global temperatures. The period from April 2025 to March 2026 was the warmest 12-month span on record for the U.S., with over 19,800 daily temperature records broken nationwide.
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