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Extreme heat records in the United States

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2026-08-10 19:35 UTC → 2026-08-11 00:47 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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