The United States experienced its hottest average temperature on record for March, with 10 states experiencing their hottest March in 131 years, according to new data released by NOAA.
"The continental U.S. average temperature in March was 50.85°F, 9.35°F above the 20th-century average, marking the first time any month's average has exceeded 9°F above that baseline," NOAA said.
March included several heat waves across the nation. A total of 1,432 counties -- covering 52.8 percent of the nation and 38 percent of the population of the U.S. -- had never been warmer in March, NOAA said.
More than 12,000 daily record highs were set
During the peak of the heat wave on March 18 and 22, NOAA says that 4,447 daily record high temperatures were set, and 2,010 of those records set their highest March temperatures on record. For the entire month, 12,347 daily and 2,596 monthly records were set. Some stations set daily record highs on more than 10 days.
