Yasin Gungor
08 April 2025•Update: 08 April 2025
ISTANBUL
Last month ranked as the sixth-warmest March on record for the contiguous US, featuring destructive tornadoes and wildfires, according to a report Tuesday by the US weather agency.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in its latest Climate Report, said the average temperature in the contiguous US reached 8.3°C (46.9°F), 3°C above the long-term average.
Several states experienced particularly warm conditions, with Kansas recording its fourth-warmest March, tied with 1946 -- while Nebraska and Texas registered their fifth-warmest.
Alaska experienced a statewide March temperature of -8.5°C, 3.3°C above the long-term average, ranking in the warmest third of the 101 years of record keeping in that state.
Hawaii recorded an average temperature of 18.2°C, 0.7°C above the 1991-2020 average.
From January-March the contiguous US averaged 2.8°C, 1°C above average, placing the first quarter of 2025 in the warmest third of historical records.
More than 200 tornados
Tornado activity surged to more than double the monthly average, with three separate outbreaks producing over 200 twisters across the country, the agency said.
It was noted that a multi-day severe weather outbreak in mid-March caused significant damage from Texas to Tennessee, resulting in multiple fatalities. Arkansas was hit by two powerful tornadoes on the same day.
Wildfires spread across southern Appalachia, burning more than 30,000 acres (12,140 hectares). The agency highlighted that strong winds and dry conditions exacerbated the fires, which were fueled by additional debris from downed trees following Hurricane Helene.
