July 2026: Hottest Month on Record in the U.S.
July 2026: Hottest Month on Record in the U.S.
US · Published Aug 11, 2026
The United States experienced its hottest month on record in July 2026, with widespread heat waves and drought conditions affecting much of the country. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, around 40% of the U.S. and Puerto Rico were in drought by the end of the month. Several regions also faced extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall and flash flooding. For instance, the Texas Hill Country saw over 28 inches of rain from July 13 to 17, while eastern New York experienced nearly 12 inches of rain from July 28 to
NOAA reported that Wyoming had its warmest July and month ever, with temperatures 5.1°F (2.8°C) above average. Record-breaking temperatures were also observed in Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana, with highs reaching up to 115°F (46.1°C) in Miles City, Montana.

Impact & Risks

The extreme heat and drought conditions have had significant impacts across the U.S., including increased wildfire activity in the Pacific Northwest, where over 140,000 acres burned in Oregon alone. Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate due to these fires. Flash flooding caused by heavy rainfall in Texas and New York led to property damage and hazardous conditions. The persistent heat waves affected large portions of the West, Southwest, Rockies, northern Plains, Upper Midwest, mid-Atlantic, Gulf Coast, and Southeast, posing health risks such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, particularly for vulnerable populations.

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