Contiguous U.S. Broke Record for Hottest Month Ever in July, NOAA Says

The contiguous United States endured its hottest month ever recorded in July 2026, shattering a record previously set during the Dust Bowl era. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that the average temperature across the Lower 48 states was 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius), slightly exceeding the July 1936 record.

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It's not good when you're breaking records from the Dust Bowl, which we are in this case.

This alarming milestone, with records dating back to 1895, highlights a concerning trend in extreme weather. Meteorologist Jeff Masters of Yale Climate Connections noted the gravity of surpassing a Dust Bowl record, calling it a sign of "deep trouble." While Alaska experienced cooler-than-normal conditions, the vast majority of the Lower 48 states faced unusually high temperatures, with the Mountain West, Southwest, Northern Plains, and Southeast being particularly affected.

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Extremely high temperatures across the continental U.S. this summer, along with intense drought and fire conditions, are absolutely consistent with the climate change signal.

Scientists overwhelmingly attribute this record heat to the burning of fossil fuels, a primary driver of human-caused climate change. Unlike the Dust Bowl heat, which was exacerbated by agricultural practices and more geographically concentrated, current extreme temperatures are widespread. Katharine Jacobs, a climate scientist at the University of Arizona, stated that the intense heat, drought, and fire conditions are "absolutely consistent with the climate change signal."

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Hotter nights are a classic sign of human-caused climate change.

A significant factor contributing to the record was the unprecedented nighttime low temperatures, which smashed previous records by a substantial margin. NOAA's data, which averages 24-hour temperatures, shows that hotter nights are a classic indicator of human-induced warming. These persistently high nighttime temperatures prevent the body from cooling down, increasing heat stress, sleep disruption, and mortality, according to studies. Climate scientists warn that with ongoing climate change, years like 2026 might become relatively cooler in the future, underscoring the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel consumption and adapt to the changing climate.

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If you're talking heat waves, that nighttime low is incredibly important for determining total heat stress.