Federal officials announced that the United States has registered its hottest summer on record following months of soaring temperatures and spreading drought conditions nationwide. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that nationwide temperatures averaged 74.4 degrees Fahrenheit from June through August, marking the warmest meteorological summer since temperature and precipitation record-keeping began 132 years ago and surpassing previous highs set in 1936 and 2021 by 0.4 degrees. August 2026 also established a new monthly standard with an overall average of 75.6 degrees and a record daytime high average of 88.6 degrees. Compared to 20th-century baselines, average temperatures for both the summer season and August alone were 3.5 degrees and 3 degrees higher, respectively. Most of the contiguous U.S. experienced above-average temperatures, while extensive heat waves, wildfires, and diminishing water supplies affected the West, Southwest, southern Rockies, southwestern Plains, and southern Florida. California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado recorded their warmest August temperatures ever, and several western states observed record-breaking nighttime lows. Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah endured record-high summer heat, with Arizona matching its highest summer average. Despite localized heavy storms, national summer precipitation averaged 8.11 inches, falling 0.21 inches beneath the 20th-century average, driven by sparse rainfall in states like California, which experienced its driest summer since 2002. Drought conditions intensified significantly, expanding to cover 59.1% of the U.S. by early September after a more than 10% increase throughout August.
Source: cbsnews.com
