North Carolina Experiences One of the Hottest Summers on Record
North Carolina endured one of its hottest summers on record, with August 2026 ranking as the fourth-warmest August since 1895, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The statewide average temperature for August was 78.6°F (25.9°C). Cities like New Bern, Raleigh, and Fayetteville recorded their top five warmest Augusts. The state also experienced mixed rainfall patterns, with southeastern areas like Wilmington seeing heavy rains, while northern regions remained dry. Wilmington recorded its second-wettest August with 15.01 inches (381.3 mm) of rain, while northern areas like Louisburg and Roanoke Rapids experienced their driest Augusts on record. Extreme Drought (D3) conditions persist in northern areas, with new D3 zones emerging in Warren and Halifax counties. 
