US Registers Hottest March on Record Amid Unprecedented Heatwave
The continental United States has recorded its most abnormally hot March in 132 years of historical data, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa). March 2026 saw an average temperature of 50.85F (10.47C), which was 9.35F (5.19C) above the 20th-century normal for the month.
This significant deviation not only set a new record for March but also surpassed any other month in history for the lower 48 states in terms of abnormal heat. The previous record, set in March 2012, was 8.9F above normal, making the 2026 figure a stark indicator of escalating climate trends.
Record-Breaking Temperatures and Climate Impact
Noaa data reveals that the average maximum temperature for March was particularly high, at 11.4F above the 20th-century average. This level of heat was almost a degree warmer than the typical daytime high for April, highlighting the severity of the unseasonable conditions.
Shel Winkley, a meteorologist with Climate Central, described the situation as "unprecedented", emphasizing the sheer volume of temperature records broken during this period. More than 19,800 daily heat records were shattered across the country, with over 2,000 locations setting monthly heat records, a feat harder to achieve than daily records.
Long-Term Trends and Future Projections
Six of the top ten most abnormally hot months in US history have occurred in the last decade, with February 2026 ranking as the tenth highest above normal at 6.57F above the 20th-century average. The period from April 2025 to March 2026 was the warmest 12-month stretch on record for the continental US.
Jeff Masters, a meteorologist with Yale Climate Connections, noted that the January through March period was also the driest on record, creating a dangerous combination for water availability, agriculture, and river navigation. He stated that the broken records "tell us that climate change is kicking our butts."
El Niño and Global Warming Concerns
Forecasts from Noaa and the European climate service Copernicus predict the formation of a "super" strong El Niño in the coming months, which is expected to intensify into winter. Victor Gensini, a meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University, warned that this could push global temperatures to new record levels in late 2026 and into 2027.
Climate Central's analysis found that on March 20 and 21, 2026, about one-third of the nation experienced heat that would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change. This underscores the urgent need for climate action as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense.
