July was hottest month ever recorded in US as heatwaves scorched country

July 2024 was the hottest month ever recorded in the contiguous United States, with average temperatures 3.3°F above the 20th-century average. This record-breaking heat was driven by multiple heat dome events across the country, contributing to widespread wildfires. Scientists attribute this elevated heat and extreme weather to the human-caused climate crisis, amplified by the burning of fossil fuels. The extreme temperatures have significantly impacted Americans' lives, affecting electricity bills, travel plans, outdoor activities, and exercise routines. An unusually strong El Niño event is also expected to contribute to record global temperatures in the coming year.

The contiguous United States experienced its hottest month on record in July, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Lower 48 states averaged 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the previous record set in July 1936. While Alaska was cooler than average, much of the contiguous U.S. saw above-normal temperatures, particularly in the Mountain West, Southwest, Northern Plains, and Southeast. A significant factor contributing to this record heat was unusually high nighttime temperatures, which broke the old record for hottest minimums by 0.7 degrees. Scientists indicate that hotter nights are a characteristic sign of human-caused climate change.