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Record Heat Scorches USA All-Time Hottest Summer
10 Sep
Summary
- 2026 summer was the warmest in 132 years for the contiguous US.
- Average summer temperature was 74.4°F, 3.0°F above normal.
- Colorado River Basin states saw record summer heat and low reservoirs.
The summer of 2026 has officially been recognized as the hottest in the contiguous United States since record-keeping began 132 years ago. Scientists at NOAA confirmed that the average temperature for meteorological summer, encompassing June, July, and August, surpassed previous records set in 1936 and 2021.
The average temperature for this period was 74.4°F, a notable 3.0°F above the typical average. This widespread heat impacted nearly the entire nation, with many states experiencing significantly warmer nighttime minimum temperatures as well.
July stood out as particularly intense, featuring a significant heat dome over the eastern U.S. that caused widespread cancellations of holiday events due to dangerous heat indices exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.
Several states, including Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, shattered their own average summer temperature records. These regions are part of the Colorado River Basin, which also faced an unusually dry winter, exacerbating drought conditions and leading to record low water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
