If this summer time felt hotter than regular, you are not alone. Because it seems, this previous summer time was the most well liked on report in the USA.
That is the most well liked that summer time within the U.S. has been in a minimum of 132 years. Particularly, the temperatures rose to three levels Fahrenheit (1.67 levels Celsius) above common, beating out the newest report set in 2021 of 0.4 levels F (0.22 levels C) above common, in response to a new report from Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). And looking out month-to-month, this was additionally the most well liked August we have ever seen.
The record-breaking season noticed unmatched temperature highs throughout the contiguous U.S. (all the adjoining states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii which simply aren’t part of this report) from June via August. However scorching temperatures aren’t all that this new report reveals, as this summer time was additionally one of many driest on report for the contiguous U.S., with greater than half of the nation in a drought by September. The summer time of 2026 noticed each excessive precipitation highs and lows throughout the nation, too. From droughts to heavy rain, there was nothing common in regards to the precipitation seen throughout the U.S. this summer time.
A better look
Digging into a number of the particulars, the total summer time was 3 levels F above the common for the season, 74.4 levels F (23.5 levels C). August was 3.5 levels F (1.94 levels C) above common for the month at 75.6 F (24.2 C). And whereas a lot of the contiguous U.S. skilled nicely above common temperatures this summer time, some areas felt the warmth probably the most. The Southwest, the southern Rockies, the southwestern Plains, southern Florida, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado hit significantly excessive temperatures this August.
Trying on the summer time’s uncommon precipitation ranges, the full precipitation throughout the contiguous U.S. was 0.32 inches (0.8 centimeters) beneath common, making this previous summer time the third driest on report, and the driest summer time since 2000. By Sept. 1, 59.1% of the nation was in drought. There was drought throughout the West, the higher Midwest, the Deep South and extra. Over 75% of Puerto Rico lie in drought circumstances as nicely, with 40% being in “excessive drought.” And whereas summer time is perhaps ending, a variety of this drought is projected to proceed, in response to the report from NOAA. On the subject of drier lands, that additionally means an elevated threat of wildfire.
Although these temperature variations may appear small or comparatively gentle at face worth, they’ve huge penalties. As climate change progresses primarily due to greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities like transportation and manufacturing, we continue to see a whole host of its effects across the world. This ranges from rising average temperatures and glacial ice loss to sea level rise and worsening natural disasters. Those natural disasters include events like flooding, hurricanes, wildfires and cyclones.
While different areas of the world will experience different effects of global warming, one thing remains true for all: The consequences will only continue to worsen as our planet warms.
If we just look at this past August 2026 in the U.S., not only did we see record-high temperatures, but also weather and climate disasters of all varieties. Fires broke out over 10,000 acres of eastern Washington, even spreading across the state and into Oregon. More fires, in fact, spread across Nevada and Alaska while wind gusts up to 111 miles per hour (178.6 kilometers per hour) tore across South Dakota. A heatwave brought sweltering temperatures to south Florida and Hurricane Lala brought intense winds, rain and flooding to Hawaii;. And these are just a few of the many examples — from just this last month.