March Heat Records Shattered Across U.S. as Forecasts Predict Supercharged El Niño

Unseasonable warmth in March was the most abnormal on record, and the upcoming El Niño event could push global temperatures to new highs.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a massive, turbulent storm system dominating the frame, with dark clouds and heavy rain obscuring any visible structures or objects below.As climate change fuels more intense and unpredictable weather patterns, a looming supercharged El Niño event threatens to push global temperatures to new record highs.Washington Today

The continental United States experienced its hottest March on record in 2026, with average maximum temperatures 11.4°F above the 20th century average. This unprecedented heat came on the heels of the worst snow year and hottest winter on record. Meteorologists warn that a brewing El Niño event, expected to reach superstrength in the coming months, could further drive up global temperatures and alter weather patterns for years to come.

Why it matters

The record-breaking March heat and the looming threat of a supercharged El Niño underscore the accelerating impacts of climate change. These extreme weather events have far-reaching consequences for water availability, agriculture, transportation, and more, highlighting the urgent need to address the root causes of global warming.

The details

According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average maximum temperature for March 2026 was 11.4°F (6.3°C) above the 20th century average, and nearly 1°F warmer than the average daytime high for April. This easily surpassed the previous record for the most abnormally hot month on record, set in March 2012. In total, more than 19,800 daily temperature records were broken across the country, and over 2,000 places set new monthly heat records - more than entire decades in the past.

  • March 2026 was the hottest March on record for the U.S.
  • April 2025 to March 2026 was the warmest 12-month period on record in the continental United States.
  • On March 20 and 21, about one-third of the nation experienced unseasonable heat that would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change.

The players

NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere.

Shel Winkley

A meteorologist with Climate Central, a nonprofit science research group.

Jeff Masters

A meteorologist with Yale Climate Connections.

Victor Gensini

A meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University.

Jonathan Overpeck

The dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan and a climate scientist.

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What they’re saying

“What we experienced in March across the United States was unprecedented.”

— Shel Winkley, Meteorologist, Climate Central

“A strong El Niño could plausibly push global temperatures to new record levels in late 2026 and into 2027.”

— Victor Gensini, Meteorology Professor, Northern Illinois University

“Global warming is supercharging El Niños and the atmospheric warming they drive. We saw this in 2016 and more recently in 2023. We're likely to see another jump in global temperatures if a strong El Niño develops later this year as being predicted.”

— Jonathan Overpeck, Climate Scientist, University of Michigan

What’s next

Meteorologists expect the brewing El Niño to intensify in the coming months and reach superstrength by the winter, potentially pushing global temperatures to new record highs in late 2026 and 2027.

The takeaway

The unprecedented March heat and the looming threat of a supercharged El Niño underscore the accelerating impacts of climate change, with far-reaching consequences for communities across the United States. These extreme weather events highlight the urgent need for comprehensive action to address the root causes of global warming and build resilience to its effects.