Warmest March on Record in U.S.

Climate Impact Company Daily Feature

Issued: Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Highlight: Marine heatwave continues to dominate U.S. climate during March. Record warmth was observed West/Southwest States; Record dryness California.

Fig. 1: Daily sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) analysis of ocean temperatures off the California and Baja California Coast identify a record strength and intensifying marine heat wave (MHW).

Discussion: Semi-permanent high pressure associated with the record strength and intensifying marine heatwave (MHW) off the California and Baja California Coast (Fig. 1) maintains the record warmth across much of the West and Southwest U.S. during March (Fig. 2). Near record warmth was observed across the Central and East U.S. During March, California observed record dryness with MUCH BELOW normal precipitation for the Interior West and Southwest U.S. plus the Southeast States (Fig. 3). Michigan received their 3^rd wettest March on record.

Fig. 2: NOAA state temperature rankings for March 2026.

Fig. 3: NOAA state precipitation rankings for March 2026.