What Living Through the Hottest July Ever Looked Like Across the U.S.

Storyby The Bench fire burns along the banks of the Deschutes River in Jefferson County, Oregon on July 25, 2026 Noah Berger—APThis July was the hottest month ever recorded in United States history. Last month’s average temperature was 3.3°F (1.8°C) higher than the 20th century average for the contiguous United States, according to new data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This was the warmest July—and warmest month—in the 132-year record, 0.1–0.2°F warmer than the previous records seen during the Dust Bowl in July 1936 and in July 2012.The reality of this extreme heat was experienced through three separate heat dome events, with several states, including Idaho, Utah, and Montana setting all time temperature records on July 12. Salt Lake City, UT, saw temperatures