July Sets New All-Time Heat Record Across the Contiguous United States

According to one outlet Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the contiguous United States logged an average temperature of 76.89 °F (24.94 °C) in July, establishing a new monthly heat record that exceeds the Dust Bowl’s July 1936 reading by roughly one-eighth of a degree. The heat was widespread across the Lower 48, with the most pronounced warmth in the Mountain West, Southwest, Northern Plains and Southeast, while Alaska stayed relatively cool.

Nighttime lows proved decisive, shattering the previous record for the warmest minimum temperatures by 0.7 °F. Experts note that unusually warm nights are a hallmark of anthropogenic climate change. The findings underscore a growing trend of extreme heat events across the United States.