2026 Marks Hottest Summer on Record for U.S. and Western Europe
2026 Marks Hottest Summer on Record for U.S. and Western Europe
US · Published Sep 11, 2026
The summer of 2026 has officially been declared the hottest on record globally, tying with 2024 for the June-August period, according to Copernicus, the European Union’s climate monitoring entity.
NOAA confirmed that August 2026 was the hottest month on record for the contiguous United States, with a mean temperature of 75.6°F (24.2°C), exceeding the 20th-century average by 3.5°F (1.9°C).

Impact & Risks

The extreme heat and drought conditions have heightened wildfire risks across the Intermountain West and Northern Plains, with red flag warnings and fire weather watches in effect. Agricultural sectors in drought-stricken areas are likely to face significant challenges, while flooding in wetter regions may disrupt infrastructure and local communities. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are grappling with water shortages due to severe drought. Globally, record-breaking sea surface temperatures could exacerbate climate-related impacts, including stronger storms and rising sea levels.

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