Hottest Temperatures in Recorded History Announced for 10 States

Ten states experienced the hottest temperatures in recorded history over the course of March, according to new data announced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

California, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma each experienced their hottest March in the 132-year record. The average temperature for each of these states exceeded their respective April averages, and California's March average even surpassed its May average by 0.7 degrees.

The average temperature across the entire continental United States in March was more than nine degrees higher than the 20th-century average. The continental U.S. average for the month was 50.85 degrees, marking the nation's highest average temperature for March in recorded history.

"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. Maximum daytime temperatures were especially high, averaging 11.4°F above the March average and 0.9°F above the April long-term average," the NOAA wrote in its announcement.

1,432 U.S. counties experienced their hottest March day in recorded history, accounting for 52.8 percent of the nation and 38 percent of the population.

12,347 daily temperature records were tied or broken throughout the month, according to the NOAA. 4,447 of those records were set during a heat wave between March 18-22. Some weather stations reported daily record highs on more than 10 days in the month.

"Much of the country south of the far northern tier, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, experienced much-above-average temperatures," the NOAA added. "A broad region spanning the central Pacific Coast, Great Basin, Southwest, and parts of the Rockies and southern Plains observed record warmth, highlighting the widespread extent of the month’s exceptional temperatures."