March 2026 Marks Record-Breaking Heat Across the U.S. Amid Anticipated Strong El Niño

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:59:00 +0200

In March 2026, the continental United States experienced unprecedented heat, marking the hottest March in 132 years. Average temperatures reached 50.85°F, which is 9.35°F above the 20th-century March average, surpassing the previous record set in 2012. The average maximum temperature was 11.4°F above the historical norm and even exceeded typical April daytime highs. NOAA data showed that six of the ten most abnormally hot months in U.S. history have occurred within the last decade, and February 2026 was the tenth highest above normal. Climate experts attribute this extreme heat to both human-caused climate change and ongoing weather patterns. Over 19,800 daily heat records and more than 2,000 monthly records were broken nationwide. The driest January through March period on record has also contributed to heightened concerns over water availability and agriculture. Meteorologists are forecasting a super-strong El Niño that could push global temperatures to new records in late 2026 and 2