The contiguous United States recorded its hottest month ever in July, according to data released Monday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The average temperature across the Lower 48 states reached 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius), surpassing the previous record set in July 1936 during the Dust Bowl by approximately 0.125 degrees.
The National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI), a division of NOAA, reported that while Alaska experienced unusually cool weather, the rest of the country saw widespread heat. Every one of the Lower 48 states recorded temperatures at least 1 degree Fahrenheit above their 20th-century averages. The most extreme conditions were concentrated in the Mountain West, Southwest, Northern Plains, and Southeast.
Scientists attributed the record primarily to an unprecedented increase in nighttime temperatures. Minimum temperatures broke the previous record for the warmest nights by 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit. NOAA's calculations are based on a 24-hour average of both high and low temperatures. Records for U.S. temperature monitoring date back to 1895.
The scale of the heat is historic in its breadth, as 100% of the contiguous states remained significantly above historical averages for the entire month of July. This widespread warming creates a higher baseline for energy demand and public health strain compared to localized heat waves. Meteorologists such as Jeff Masters from Yale Climate Connections note that exceeding Dust Bowl-era records indicates a shift in the climate baseline, suggesting these record-breaking temperatures may become more common in future years.
The knock-on effects of these temperatures include intense drought and fire conditions, which climate scientist Katharine Jacobs of the University of Arizona stated are consistent with the signals of climate change. These environmental conditions impact water resources and air quality across multiple regions. Moving forward, scientists indicate that continued burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas will likely lead to further temperature increases, necessitating increased public spending on climate adaptation measures. No specific upcoming legislative votes or deadlines were reported.