health

Contiguous U.S. breaks its record for hottest month ever, NOAA says

August 10, 2026 / 3:53 PM EDT / CBS News

Contiguous U.S. breaks its record for hottest month ever, NOAA says

TL;DR

  • July 2023 was the warmest month on record for the contiguous U.S., with average temperatures of 76.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Several locations in Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana recorded all-time high temperatures.
  • More than 185 million people were under heat alerts due to a heat wave.
  • The U.S. experienced below-average precipitation, ranking as the third driest July on record.
  • Drought conditions affected approximately 48.5% of the contiguous U.S. and over two-thirds of Puerto Rico.
  • Wildfires burned over 140,000 acres in eastern Oregon.
  • Globally, July 2023 was the joint second-warmest July on record.
  • El Niño is expected to push global temperatures to record highs in the coming months.