BEIJING, April 4 -- China registered higher temperatures and less rainfall than usual in March this year, the China Meteorological Administration said on Tuesday.

The national average temperature was 6.7 degrees Celsius last month, which was 1.9 degrees Celsius higher than the same period in other years, making it the third-hottest March since 1961, the administration said, citing the data at a press conference.

The average precipitation was 26.4 millimeters, 10.3 percent less than the same period in other years.

In March, the country recorded four cold waves and saw four sandstorms, according to the administration.