Overview
- Monday's National Centers for Environmental Information analysis found global surface temperatures in July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the warmest July on record, about 1.18°C above the 20th-century average.
- The contiguous United States averaged 76.9°F in July, the hottest monthly national average since records began in 1895, pushed higher mainly by unprecedented overnight lows that averaged 64.2°F. NOAA reported the global ocean surface temperature for July was a record for the month at a 1.84°F departure and that global sea ice extent was the fourth smallest July on record.
- Forecasters from NOAA, the WMO and European agencies say El Niño is strengthening and is likely to raise temperatures further toward the end of the year, which could push 2026 into the top-ranked warm years.
- The heat has already worsened drought, sustained large wildfires, triggered heat advisories and stressed public health and forecasting systems, creating immediate risks for people, water supplies and emergency response capacity.