Federal weather officials have confirmed that March delivered such extraordinary heat across the continental United States that it now holds the distinction of being the most unusually warm month in 132 years of temperature tracking.
According to data released Wednesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, March didn’t just break the record for hottest March ever recorded – it surpassed every other month in history for how far above normal temperatures climbed across the Lower 48 states. The month averaged 50.85 degrees Fahrenheit, soaring 9.35 degrees beyond the typical March temperature from the 20th century. This easily topped the previous record of 8.9 degrees above normal, which was also set during March 2012.
Daytime temperatures were particularly extreme, with maximum temperatures running 11.4 degrees higher than the 20th century average for March. NOAA noted these daily highs were nearly a full degree warmer than what’s typically seen during April.
The recent pattern of unusual warmth is becoming more frequent, with six of the nation’s ten most abnormally hot months occurring within the past decade. Even February ranked as the tenth most above-normal month, running 6.57 degrees warmer than historical averages.
Climate Central meteorologist Shel Winkley emphasized the significance of these conditions. “What we experienced in March across the United States was unprecedented,” Winkley stated. “One reason that’s so concerning is just the sheer volume of records, all-time records that were set and broken during that time period. But also this is coming on the heels of what was the worst snow year. And the hottest winter of record. So we’re seeing this continuation of extraordinary heat that took place during the winter months, continuing into the spring months as well. That’s where it’s really concerning, it’s just the duration of this heat.”
The widespread nature of the heat wave becomes clear when examining the numbers: meteorologist Guy Walton, who tracks NOAA statistics, reported that more than 19,800 daily temperature records were broken nationwide during March.
Weather experts warn that global temperatures may continue climbing over the next year, with some forecasts suggesting a developing El Nino weather pattern could reach exceptional strength.
