The continental United States experienced its hottest March since records began 132 years ago, with temperatures soaring so far above normal that the deviation set a new historical benchmark.
Federal weather data shows March's average temperature reached 50.85 degrees Fahrenheit, running 9.35 degrees above the 20th-century norm for the month. That gap represents the largest departure from seasonal averages ever recorded in the lower 48 states, regardless of which month is measured.
The persistent warmth that gripped the nation went beyond simply breaking the previous March record. Scientists characterized the conditions as unprecedented in terms of how drastically temperatures exceeded expectations for early spring.
Looking ahead, forecasters warn that global temperatures may climb even further. Some models predict an El Niño pattern is developing that could intensify to super strength over the next year or so, potentially pushing heat anomalies higher still on a worldwide scale.
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