The United States just had the hottest March in 132 years. Next year will only be hotter

Not only was it the hottest March on record for the United States, but it was more than normal for any other month in history for the lower 48 states. The average March temperature of 50.85 degrees Fahrenheit (10.47 degrees Celsius) was 9.35 F (5.19 C) higher than the 20th century normal for March. That easily surpassed the old record of 8.9 F (4.9 C), set in March 2012 as the unusually hot month on record — regardless of the month of the year — according to records released Wednesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

March’s average maximum temperature was particularly high, 11.4 F (6.3 C) above the 20th-century average, and nearly a degree warmer than April’s average daytime temperature, NOAA said.

Six of the nation’s 10 unusually hot months have occurred in the past 10 years. This February, which was 6.57 F (3.65 C) above the 20th century normal, was the tenth highest above normal.

« What we experienced in March across the United States was unprecedented, » said Climate Central meteorologist Shel Winkley. « One cause for concern is the sheer number of records, all-time records, that were set and broken in that period. But this is also coming on the heels of what was the worst snow year. And the hottest winter on record. So we see a continuation of this extraordinary heat that prevailed in the winter months, continuing into the spring months as well. That’s where it’s really worrying, it’s just the duration of this heat. »

According to meteorologist Guy Walton, who analyzes NOAA data, more than 19,800 daily heat records were broken across the country.

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