NOAA Reports Record-Breaking March Temperatures, Millions at Risk
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported that March 2026 was the hottest on record in the United States, with ten states experiencing their highest temperatures in 131 years. This extreme warmth affected large areas from the West Coast through the Great Plains and into the South. The unprecedented heat has accelerated snowmelt, strained water resources, and extended drought conditions, particularly in the already dry regions of the West and Southwest. The drought has expanded to nearly 60% of the contiguous U.S., marking one of the largest drought footprints in recent years. 
