The contiguous United States experienced its hottest month on record this past July, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The average temperature across the Lower 48 states was 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius), surpassing the previous record set in July 1936 during the Dust Bowl era.
Jeff Masters, a meteorologist with Yale Climate Connections, highlighted the significance of this record. “It’s concerning that we are breaking records from the Dust Bowl,” he noted, referring to the historic drought and heat during that period which caused significant migration within the U.S.
Despite cooler conditions in Alaska, the Lower 48 saw hotter-than-average temperatures spread across regions including the Mountain West, Southwest, Northern Plains, and Southeast. Russ Vose, chief of monitoring at NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information, stated that every state was at least 1 degree Fahrenheit warmer than the 20th-century average.
The extremes of the Dust Bowl were localized in the Midwest and exacerbated by farming practices of the time. Today’s elevated temperatures result from the burning of coal, oil, and gas, according to climate experts. “High temperatures, drought, and fire conditions are consistent with climate change,” said Katharine Jacobs, a climate scientist at the University of Arizona.
A significant driver of July’s record heat was the rise in nighttime temperatures, which broke previous records for hottest minimums by 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit. This trend is identified as a marker of human-induced climate change. NOAA’s calculations consider a 24-hour temperature average, incorporating both highs and lows.
Masters emphasized the importance of nighttime lows in assessing heat stress. “When it doesn’t cool off at night,” he explained, “our bodies don’t have time to recover from the day’s heat.” Research links rising nighttime temperatures to increased mortality and sleep disturbances.
Comparative data shows that 2021 and 1936 are tied as the hottest summers in the U.S., spanning June to August. However, through July 2026, temperatures are slightly cooler than in 2021. Masters cautioned about ongoing climate change impacts. “This year might be one of the coolest we’ll see for the rest of our lives,” he warned. To combat these changes, Masters advocates for reducing fossil fuel use and investing in climate adaptation strategies.
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