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In a striking revelation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) disclosed that last month marked the hottest March ever recorded in U.S. history. This announcement was made on Wednesday, as the agency presented new data underscoring the unprecedented warmth experienced across the nation.
According to NOAA’s findings, March 2026 saw average temperatures across the continental United States soar, surpassing the 20th-century average by an astounding 9.4 degrees Fahrenheit. This remarkable deviation highlights the intensity of the heatwave that enveloped the country.
A noteworthy ten states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming, shattered previous records, thereby declaring this March as their hottest ever. These states bore the brunt of the soaring temperatures, setting a new benchmark for March weather extremes.
The NOAA report elaborated on the breadth of these temperature anomalies, noting that much of the U.S., stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic and south of the far northern tier, experienced significantly above-average temperatures. The central Pacific Coast, Great Basin, Southwest, and segments of the Rockies and southern Plains were particularly affected, with these regions witnessing record-breaking warmth that underscored the month’s extraordinary climate conditions.
Further emphasizing the extent of the heat, the agency reported that around 500 counties, representing a quarter of the continental U.S., recorded their highest average temperatures for March this year. This widespread climatic anomaly underscores the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and the mounting urgency for adaptive measures.
The new data also found that January to March 2026 broke a record from 1910 as the driest period in history.
This report comes ahead of anticipated rising temperatures in the next year due to El Niño.
NOAA is forecasting a potentially strong El Niño to form this summer and continue through at least the end of the year. This naturally occurring cyclical warming process in the equatorial Pacific changes weather patterns around the world, with ripple effects for years to come.
The European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts published data last month that indicated a 98% chance of a moderate El Niño by August, and an 80% chance of a strong event or 22% change of a “super” event.