March 2026 becomes hottest month on record for continental U.S.

March 2026 became the hottest month on record for the United States, with temperatures exceeding the long-term average by more than 9 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NOAA. This record-breaking heat, which surpassed the previous mark set in 2012, led to widespread daily temperature records being broken and nearly 60% of the country facing drought conditions. Climate experts link this trend to long-term climate change and a developing El Niño pattern.