March 2012 was exceptionally HOT. Over 7000 daily high temperature records were set. Fast forward to March 2026: it has been exceptionally hot as well and according to NWS, over 1100 daily record highs have been set since March 1st.
The difference between the 2 March heatwaves, besides the number of record highs, is the drought situation. We start so much worse this March 2026.
March, April, May are key months for rainfall east of the Rockies in terms of what are typically drier summer months that lack large scale weather systems as the jet retreats north. The fact that we've had a dry winter in terms of both the western snowpack and central/eastern USA rainfall is setting the stage for a dangerously hot and dry summer with hightented fire risk and extended intense drought.
Below: March 2102 drought monitor vs March 2026 drought monitor.