NWS: April to run warmer than normal
Most of the country has a 40 to 50 percent chance of experiencing above-normal temperatures during the month, per the agency
Deirdra Funcheon
March 24, 2026
Image: NOAA
A historic heat wave this past week smashed records in nearly 180 U.S. cities, with all-time March highs appearing to have been set in 14 states, and is expected to continue from California to the Carolinas.
What’s happening: The National Weather Service (NWS) on March 19 published its preliminary temperature outlook for April.
- Most of the country has a 40 to 50 percent chance of experiencing above-normal temperatures during the month, with ‘normal’ defined as the 30-year average, according to the agency.
- The Southwest and most of Florida have a 50 to 70 percent chance of hotter-than-normal temperatures, while the Northeast and Great Lakes region face equal chances of temperatures being above or below normal.
What’s next: The NWS will publish its final April outlook on March 31.
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