US records hottest July ever, NOAA reports

July 2026 officially became the hottest month ever recorded in the United States, shattering previous records dating back to 1895, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported. The national average temperature soared to 76.9°F (24.9°C), marking a significant departure from historical norms.

This record-breaking heat was not confined to daytime highs. NOAA data reveals that average nighttime temperatures also established a new benchmark, reaching 64.2°F (17.8°C). This figure was 3.7 degrees above the historical average and surpassed the previous July record set in 2022 by a considerable margin.

Daytime maximum temperatures averaged 89.5°F (31.9°C) nationwide, placing July as the sixth hottest month on record for daily highs. The heatwave was pervasive, with every state in the contiguous U.S. experiencing temperatures at least one degree above their 20th-century average. Thirteen states ranked their July among the top five warmest since records began, with Wyoming experiencing its hottest July ever recorded, exceeding its average by 6.3 degrees.

Beyond July, the trend of extreme heat continues. The 12-month period from August 2025 to July 2026 was the warmest on record for the U.S., and the first seven months of 2026 ranked as the second warmest January-July period. Over 450 counties, home to approximately 72 million people, endured their warmest January-July stretch. In stark contrast, Alaska experienced its coldest July since 2008, with average temperatures 0.9 degrees below its 1925-2000 average.