United States records hottest July on record since 1895
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported that July 2026 was the hottest month on record for the contiguous United States since measurements began in 1895. The average temperature across the Lower 48 states was 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius), surpassing the previous record set during the 1936 Dust Bowl by approximately 0.1 to 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Extreme heat was driven significantly by high nighttime temperatures, with nighttime lows breaking the previous record for hottest minimum temperatures by 0.7 degrees. The heat was widespread, with all 48 contiguous states recording temperatures above their 20th-century averages. Wyoming was particularly affected, recording its hottest July and its hottest month on record.
In addition to the heat, drought conditions affected approximately 48% of the contiguous United States. Globally, the heatwave trend was mirrored in other regions; an analysis based on Copernicus data indicated that 33 countries recorded record temperatures for July, with significant heat impacts noted in the Sahel region of Africa, parts of Europe, and Latin America.
Entities
Alaska · Climate Central · Copernicus · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration · Sahel · United States · Wyoming
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The average temperature for the Lower 48 states in July 2026 was 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius). ca.news.yahoo.com · www.semissourian.com · www.kob.com · kstp.com · yaleclimateconnections.org · +3 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The July 2026 temperature eclipsed the previous record set in July 1936 by approximately 0.1 to 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit. antiguanewsroom.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · yaleclimateconnections.org · lan103fm.com · localnews8.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Wyoming experienced its hottest July and hottest month on record. antiguanewsroom.com · lan103fm.com · metsul.com · localnews8.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Nighttime lows smashed the previous record for hottest minimum temperatures by 0.7 degrees. ca.news.yahoo.com · www.semissourian.com · www.kob.com · kstp.com · usa.inquirer.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 48% of the contiguous United States was affected by drought. www.businessdaily.gr · www.ertnews.gr · elcomercio.pe
- [● 12 SOURCES] July 2026 was the hottest month on record for the contiguous United States since measurements began in 1895. www.businessdaily.gr · antiguanewsroom.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.ertnews.gr · localnews8.com · +6 more