The U.S. is on an unprecedented hot streak
March 2017 was warm for the contiguous United States (or CONUS). At
46.15F, a substantial 4.65F above the 20th century average, it was the
ninth warmest March on record. In our monthly reports, we focus mainly
on the month that just occurred, because that’s the most relevant to the
Nation’s commerce. People and businesses that are sensitive to weather
and climate (that’s a huge chunk of the economy) compare their own stats
and metrics to the recent climate numbers, because those climate
numbers often explain some of the up-or-down in their bottom line for
the month.
But lurking behind those “most recent month” numbers is a pretty
monstrous warm run this decade. For the periods ending in March, the
one-year, two-year, three-year, four-year, and five-year running
averages are the warmest on record.
Contiguous U.S. (CONUS) Temperature for five periods ending in March 2017 |
Length |
Period |
Average Temperature |
Departure from 20th century average |
Rank (since 1895) |
12-month |
Apr 2016 - Mar 2017 |
55.05°F |
+3.02°F |
Warmest to Date |
24-month |
Apr 2015 - Mar 2017 |
55.05°F |
+3.03°F |
Warmest to Date |
36-month |
Apr 2014 - Mar 2017 |
54.44°F |
+2.44°F |
Warmest to Date |
48-month |
Apr 2013 - Mar 2017 |
53.84°F |
+1.85°F |
Warmest to Date |
60-month |
Apr 2012 - Mar 2017 |
53.86°F |
+1.88°F |
Warmest to Date |
The 60-month/5-year streak is especially remarkable, because the 61st
month … the one that just rolled off the analysis, was the ridiculously
warm March of 2012, the standard-bearer for absurdly warm spring months
in the nation’s history.
The fact that we’re knocking down long-term records without the help
of months like March 2012 underscores just how consistently warm we’ve
been this decade.