WARMEST EVER: March 2026 was the warmest on record for the U.S. — more than 9 degrees above the typical average across the lower 48 states. Use our tool to see how your county compares ⬇️
The United States experienced the warmest March on record this year, according to new data released by the National Centers for Environmental Information.The average national temperature across the lower 48 states was 50.85 degrees Fahrenheit – or more than 9 degrees warmer than the typical average for March .
The trend was also true for 10 states, mostly in the western half of the United States. The data released last Wednesday covers a 132-year period of record from 1895 to 2026. Alaska and Hawaii aren't included in the average because of different periods of record.
The record passes 2012, which previously had the warmest March on record. Behind 2012 is 1910. However, the average temperature has been on the rise over the past few decades.
The Get the Facts Data Team analyzed whether March was the warmest on record across the lower 48 states as well as counties. All 48 states included recorded above-average temperatures. The NCEI releases data on temperature and precipitation monthly. March was also the eighth driest on record, with the period from January to March being the driest three-month period on record, according to the NCEI.
Monthly reports also showed the global annual temperature outlook as of March 2026. There is more than a 99.9% chance of 2026 being a top 10 warmest year globally, and a 2.9% chance of it being the warmest year, according to the NCEI. The outlook is calculated based on anomalies and historical temperature readings.
PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=
California Colorado Idaho March Ncei Nevada New Mexico Noaa Record Heat Record Warmth Temperature Texas United States Utah Warm Warmest Weather Wyoming Kmce Warm March Record State New Datum Period Ncei Year Above-Average Temperature Typical Average United States Degree Fahrenheit Average National Temperature % Chance Precipitation Last Wednesday
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Britney Spears voluntarily checks into rehab after California DUI arrest in MarchPop star Britney Spears has voluntarily checked into rehab following her DUI arrest in Ventura County in March, a representative for the singer told CBS LA.
Read more »
US home sales fall in March, marking a slow start to the spring homebuying seasonSales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in March to their slowest pace nine months, as easing mortgage rates and more properties on the market failed to motivate home shoppers during what’s traditionally the busiest time of the year for the housing market.
Read more »
US home sales fall in March, marking a slow start to the spring homebuying seasonSales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in March to their slowest pace nine months, as easing mortgage rates and more properties on the market failed to motivate home shoppers during what’s traditionally the busiest time of the year for the housing market.
Read more »
US home sales fall in March, marking a slow start to the spring homebuying seasonSales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in March to their slowest pace nine months, as easing mortgage rates and more properties on the market failed to motivate home shoppers during what’s traditionally the busiest time of the year for the housing market. The National Association of Realtors said Monday that existing home sales fell 3.
Read more »
OPEC records 27% decrease in Middle East oil production in MarchOPEC's bleak outlook for the global energy market comes after the Iran war triggered the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Read more »
US home sales fall in March, marking a slow start to the spring homebuying seasonSales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in March to their slowest pace in nine months, as easing mortgage rates failed to motivate home shoppers during what's traditionally been the busiest time of the year for the housing market.
Read more »