The contiguous United States experienced its hottest month on record in July 2026, according to data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The average temperature across the Lower 48 states reached 76.9°F (24.9°C), surpassing the previous record set in July 1936 by 0.1°F (0.06°C). Every state in the contiguous U.S. recorded temperatures at least 1°F (0.6°C) above the 20th-century average, with Wyoming experiencing its hottest month ever at 5.1°F above normal.
Record heat coincides with global extremes. The U.S. heatwave occurred alongside England’s worsening drought and Europe’s hottest summer on record, according to international reports. The extreme conditions extended from the Great Lakes to the East Coast, where smoke from wildfires in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest blanketed densely populated areas. The heatwave also overlapped with the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations and the soccer World Cup’s later stages, disrupting public events.
Scientists attribute the record to human-caused climate change. NOAA reported that the biggest driver of the record was unusually warm nighttime lows, which shattered the previous mark for hottest minimums by 0.7°F. Katharine Jacobs, a climate scientist at the University of Arizona, stated that the extreme heat, drought, and fire conditions are consistent with the climate change signal. Jeff Masters of Yale Climate Connections noted that exceeding Dust Bowl-era records signals deep trouble, as the 1936 heatwave was exacerbated by agricultural practices of the time.
Heat domes and prolonged conditions worsened impacts. Three major heat dome events trapped hot air over large regions, with temperatures remaining well above normal for extended periods. The Mountain West, Southwest, Northern Plains, and Southeast experienced the most excessive heat. Russ Vose, chief of monitoring at NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information, confirmed that every Lower 48 state was at least 1°F above the 20th-century average.
Wildfires and smoke compounded health risks. The Pacific Northwest and Canada saw large wildfires, with one in British Columbia doubling in size during the month. Smoke from these fires contributed to air quality alerts across multiple U.S. states, particularly in the Great Lakes and East Coast regions. Health officials warned that hotter nights prevent the human body from recovering from daytime heat, increasing risks of heat-related illnesses.
Global context underscores the severity. While the U.S. set its record, Europe was also experiencing its hottest summer on record, according to international reporting. The simultaneous extreme weather events across multiple continents have raised concerns about accelerating climate impacts and their global interconnectedness.
NOAA’s records, dating back to 1895, provide a long-term perspective on the trend. The 2026 record follows a pattern of increasing heat extremes, with July 2012 and July 1936 previously holding the record. Scientists emphasize that rising greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels are the primary driver of the observed warming trend.