Contiguous U.S. breaks record for hottest month ever in July 2026

July 2026 shattered temperature records, officially becoming the hottest month ever recorded for the contiguous United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The average temperature across the nation reached a staggering 76.9 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing previous records set in July 1936 and July 2012.

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July was 'a wild weather month,' setting a record as the warmest month ever for the contiguous United States.

The extreme heat blanketed the country, placing over 185 million people under heat alerts. Major metropolitan areas from Boston to Washington, D.C., experienced relentless warmth, forcing the cancellation or postponement of numerous events, including the Independence Day parade in the nation's capital. A persistent heat dome trapped warmth and humidity, leading to record-breaking temperatures in several locations, such as Salt Lake City, which hit an all-time high of 109 degrees Fahrenheit on July 12.

Despite the widespread heat, the extreme temperatures also triggered severe weather events, including heavy rain and major floods in regions like the Texas Hill Country and eastern New York. Paradoxically, these floods occurred even as the contiguous U.S. experienced its third-driest July on record, with about 48.5% of the country in drought conditions. The dry and warm weather also fueled significant wildfire activity, particularly in eastern Oregon, where over 140,000 acres burned in July.

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El Niño is one of the most closely monitored climate phenomena in the world. But forecasts in themselves do not prevent hazards, people do.

Globally, July 2026 ranked as the second-warmest July on record. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that above-normal temperatures are expected to continue over the next three months, largely due to the developing El Niño phenomenon, which is likely to push global temperatures to record highs. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the critical window of opportunity for governments and communities to anticipate risks and act proactively before the impacts of these rising temperatures unfold.

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This El Niño developing against the backdrop of unprecedented ocean heat and rising temperatures, provides governments and communities with a window of opportunity to anticipate risks and act before impacts unfold.