The contiguous United States experienced its hottest month ever in July, with an average temperature of 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This surpassed the previous record set during the Dust Bowl era in July 1936 by an eighth of a degree.
Key Takeaways
The contiguous U.S. recorded its hottest month ever in July, with an average temperature of 76.89°F (24.94°C), surpassing the previous record set during the Dust Bowl era in 1936. The heat was driven by unusually high nighttime lows and widespread hot conditions across most regions. Scientists attribute the extreme temperatures to human-caused climate change, with fossil fuel combustion identified as a primary factor.
- July averaged 76.89°F (24.94°C) in the contiguous U.S., breaking the previous record set in 1936 by an eighth of a degree
- Nighttime lows were a significant driver, smashing records and indicating human-caused climate change
- Extreme heat affected major metropolitan areas like Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.
- Scientists link the extreme temperatures to fossil fuel combustion and climate change
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 4 publishers report consistent facts across 3 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Temperature In July | Broad Agreement | 76.89°F (24.94°C) | |
| Previous Record Year | Broad Agreement | 1936 | |
| Nighttime Lows Increase | Broad Agreement | .7 degrees higher than previous record for hottest minimums. |
Average Temperature In July
Broad Agreement76.89°F (24.94°C)
Previous Record Year
Broad Agreement1936
Nighttime Lows Increase
Broad Agreement.7 degrees higher than previous record for hottest minimums.
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The extreme heat was driven by unusually high nighttime lows, which smashed the old record for hottest minimums by 0.7 degrees. Hotter nights are a classic sign of human-caused climate change, according to scientists and several studies in peer-reviewed literature. The most excessive heat occurred in the Mountain West, Southwest, Northern Plains, and Southeast.
According to CBS News, July was described as 'a wild weather month,' with above-average warmth blanketing the U.S. Several locations in Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana saw all-time high temperature records since NOAA started keeping track in 1895. A heat wave that began in early July placed more than 185 million people under heat alerts, including residents of major metropolitan areas like Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.
The Guardian reported that the U.S. blistered under three separate heat dome events, where soaring temperatures were held in place over a region by slow-moving high-pressure weather systems. Extreme heat hit much of the U.S. west, the Rockies, upper midwest, the Gulf of Mexico coast, and southeast. Parts of the US spent the month blanketed under a haze of wildfire smoke, with large blazes engulfing forests in Canada and the US’s Pacific northwest.
Scientists attribute the extreme temperatures to human-caused climate change, with fossil fuel combustion identified as a primary factor. The heat-trapping gases released by the burning of coal, oil, and gas are driving up global temperatures and fueling deadly heatwaves that have affected the US and Europe this year.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 4 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.