U.S. July 2026 Records Heat

July 2026 was the hottest month on record for the continental United States, averaging 76.89°F across the Lower 48. Every state in the Lower 48 was at least 1°F warmer than the 20th-century average. NOAA highlighted unusually high nighttime lows and heat domes that trapped hot air, with Wyoming recording its warmest July and month on record. Scientists attribute the extreme warmth to human-caused climate change, with El Niño and shifting jet streams amplifying the heat. The record heat coincided with drought and widespread wildfires, and observers reported similar extreme heat and fires in Europe and other regions. Experts advocate rapid decarbonization and greater investment in adaptation to cope with a hotter, more volatile climate.