Record Heat Strikes the Contiguous U.S. in July

The contiguous United States experienced its hottest month on record in July, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The average temperature soared to 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius) across the Lower 48 states. This exceeded the previous record set during July 1936, which was part of the Dust Bowl era.

It’s not good when you’re breaking records from the Dust Bowl, which we are in this case, stated meteorologist Jeff Masters from Yale Climate Connections. The Dust Bowl was a period marked by severe drought and heat, resulting in a significant migration due to these harsh conditions. Masters warned that surpassing those records indicates serious climate concerns.

The Lower 48 states were hotter than average, although Alaska remained cooler. The most extreme heat took place in the Mountain West, Southwest, Northern Plains, and Southeast. Russ Vose, NOAA’s chief of monitoring, noted that every state in the Lower 48 was at least 1 degree Fahrenheit warmer than the 20th-century average.

Historical heat during the Dust Bowl was primarily in the Midwest, worsened by agricultural practices at the time. Current extreme temperatures are largely attributed to fossil fuel consumption, according to climate scientists like Katharine Jacobs from the University of Arizona. She pointed out that this season’s high temperatures, alongside droughts and fires, align with climate change patterns.

NOAA highlighted that nighttime temperatures were notably high, breaking previous minimum temperature records by 0.7 degrees. These elevated nighttime temperatures reflect human-induced climate change, causing increased heat stress overnight. Studies have shown that higher nighttime temperatures can lead to higher mortality rates and disrupted sleep.

In comparing past summers, 2021 and 1936 were tied for the hottest summer in the U.S. through June to August. Currently, 2026 ranks slightly cooler compared to 2021, which had a particularly hot June. Masters emphasized the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption and adapt to ongoing climate changes.

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