United States experiences record heat trends

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that the continental United States experienced its hottest month on record since 1895 in July 2026. This trend is attributed to climate change, which has seen Earth’s temperature rise by approximately 0.14 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1880.

Historical temperature rankings for October in Washington and Colorado show various record-setting months. In Washington, notable warm Octobers include 1988, 2015, and 2014. In Colorado, October 2024 is identified as a significant warm period, following other high-temperature months such as 1950 and 2016.