Summer 2026 Declared Hottest on Record by NOAA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has confirmed that summer 2026 is the hottest on record in the United States, surpassing previous records set in 2021 and 1936. The average temperature across the continental U.S. was 75.6°F (24.2°C), with daytime highs averaging 88.6°F (31.4°C). The southern and western regions experienced the most intense heat, while the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast saw near or slightly above-average temperatures. Arizona endured its second-hottest summer, with an average of 97°F (36.1°C) and 39 days exceeding 110°F (43.3°C). Nearly 60% of the country is also facing drought conditions, exacerbating the heat. NOAA attributes the extreme temperatures to persistent heat domes, drought, and a skewed jet stream pattern that trapped heat across the U.S.