https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/ NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information monthly report on the state of the climate NCEI.Monitoring.Info@noaa.gov (NCEI Monitoring Info) en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 national https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/national/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/national/202603 The March contiguous U.S. average temperature was 50.85 degrees Fahrenheit, 9.35 degrees Fahrenheit above the 1901-2000 average. The precipitation total was 1.83 inches, 0.68 inches below the 1901-2000 mean. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 global https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/202603 The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for March was 1.31 degrees C (2.36 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1901-2000 average of 15.5 degrees C (59.9 degrees Fahrenheit). The precipitation total was 78.24 mm (3.08 inches), 4.9 mm below the 1979-2000 average. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 global https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global-regions/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global-regions/202603 March temperature anomalies relative to their 1901-2000 mean: North America, +1.79 degrees Celsius; South America, +1.29 degrees Celsius; Europe, +2.77 degrees Celsius; Africa, +1.47 degrees Celsius; Asia, +3.12 degrees Celsius; Oceania, +0.75 degrees Celsius; Caribbean Islands, +0.83 degrees Celsius; Atlantic MDR, +0.61 degrees Celsius; Gulf of America, +1.35 degrees Celsius; Hawaiian Region, +1.1 degrees Celsius; East N Pacific, +1.37 degrees Celsius Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 global https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global-drought/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global-drought/202603 See March 2026 Global Drought Narrative report for more information. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 global https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/upper-air/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/upper-air/202603 March Mid-troposphere temperature anomalies: 0.455 degrees C (NESDIS STAR). Lower Stratosphere temperature anomalies: -0.211 degrees C (NESDIS STAR). Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 global https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tropical-cyclones/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tropical-cyclones/202603 See March 2026 Monthly Tropical Cyclones Report report for more information. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 national https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tornadoes/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tornadoes/202603 See March 2026 Monthly Tornadoes Report report for more information. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 national https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/synoptic/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/synoptic/202603 See March 2026 Monthly Synoptic Discussion report for more information. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 national https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/snow/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/snow/202603 See March 2026 Monthly National Snow and Ice Report report for more information. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 global https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global-snow/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global-snow/202603 During March, Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent (SCE) was 37.80 million square km (14.59 million square miles), 5.00% below the 1991-2020 average. Global Sea Ice Extent was 17.70 million square km (6.83 million square miles), 7.38% below the 1991-2020 average. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 national https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/fire/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/fire/202603 For March, 8,851 fires (7th most since 2000) burned 1,229,692 acres (2nd most on record), which is 138.93 acres burned/fire (3rd most). For January - March, 16,746 fires (5th most) burned 1,615,683 acres (3rd most), which is 96.48 acres burned/fire (2nd most). Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 national https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/drought/202603 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/drought/202603 As of March 31st, 59.91% of the Contiguous U.S. was experiencing drought conditions, 34.68% was in severe drought, 14.63% extreme, and 1.97% exceptional. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400