July 2026: Hottest Month in U.S. History, NOAA Reports
July 2026 has been confirmed as the hottest month ever recorded in the United States since NOAA began tracking temperatures in 1895. The average temperature across the contiguous U.S. was 3.3°F (1.8°C) above the 20th-century average, surpassing previous records set in July 1936 and July 2012. Intense heat domes dominated the weather, leading to record-breaking temperatures from the East Coast to the Plains and Southwestern states. Over 600 monthly records for maximum and minimum temperatures were set, with Wyoming experiencing its hottest July and hottest month on record. The extreme heat also contributed to widespread wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Globally, Europe faced similar conditions, with multiple heat waves and wildfires in countries like Spain, France, and Greece. 
