# Extreme heat records in the United States

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/extreme-heat-records-in-the-united-states
> Updated: 2026-08-10T15:42:42.000Z. Sources: 27. Developments: 2.

The United States has experienced significant temperature extremes, with recent data indicating record-breaking heat. In Colorado and Oregon, August temperatures have reached historic highs, with Colorado’s warmest August on record occurring in 2020 and Oregon’s in 2022.

Expanding to a national scale, the contiguous United States recorded its hottest July since data collection began in 1895. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average temperature for 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.

This extreme heat was driven by intense heat domes that trapped hot air, resulting in over 600 monthly temperature records across the country. Scientists noted that nighttime lows were a significant driver, smashing previous minimum temperature records by 0.7 degrees. While Alaska experienced unusually cool conditions, the rest of the contiguous U.S. saw widespread heat, with Wyoming recording its hottest July and hottest month on record. Additionally, drought conditions affected approximately 48% of the contiguous United States. Experts attribute these intensifying and longer-lasting heat waves to human-caused climate change.

Recent reports confirm that July 2026 was the hottest month on record for the contiguous United States since measurements began in 1895. All 48 contiguous states recorded temperatures above their 20th-century averages. This heatwave trend was mirrored globally; analysis based on Copernicus data indicated that 33 countries recorded record temperatures for July, with significant impacts noted in the Sahel region of Africa, parts of Europe, and Latin America.

## Claims

- July 2026 was the hottest month on record for the contiguous United States since measurements began in 1895. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- The average temperature for the Lower 48 states in July 2026 was 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius). (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The July 2026 temperature eclipsed the previous record set in July 1936 by approximately 0.1 to 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Nighttime lows smashed the previous record for hottest minimum temperatures by 0.7 degrees. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Wyoming experienced its hottest July and hottest month on record. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Approximately 48% of the contiguous United States was affected by drought. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-10: United States records hottest July on record since 1895

July 2026 was the hottest month on record for the contiguous United States since 1895, with average temperatures in the Lower 48 reaching 76.89°F, surpassing the 1936 Dust Bowl record.

24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-records-hottest-july-since-1895

### 2026-08-05: Colorado and Oregon see hottest Augusts on record since 1895

Stacker’s rankings show Colorado’s August 2020 and Oregon’s August 2022 as the hottest on record since 1895, reflecting a broader climate‑warming trend.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colorado-and-oregon-see-hottest-augusts-on-record-since-1895

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Cite as: Extreme heat records in the United States. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/extreme-heat-records-in-the-united-states