NOAA Reports Contiguous U.S. Experiences Hottest Month on Record, Affecting Millions
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported that July was the hottest month ever recorded for the contiguous United States, with an average temperature of 76.9 degrees Fahrenheit. This surpasses previous records set in July 1936 and July 2012. The extreme heat affected several states, including Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana, where all-time high temperature records were set. A heat wave in early July placed over 185 million people under heat alerts, impacting major metropolitan areas such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The heat also led to the cancellation of events, including the Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C. Additionally, the month saw heavy rain and flooding in areas like the Texas Hill Country and eastern New York, despite below-average precipitation across the contiguous U.S. The U.S. precipitation average for July ranked as the third driest on record. 
