U.S. Experiences Hottest July on Record

Why it matters locally: West Virginia, like many states in the Southeast region, likely experienced some of these warmer-than-normal conditions, which could impact agriculture and public health.

Washington, D.C. — The contiguous United States registered its hottest July in recorded history, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced. The average temperature across the Lower 48 states reached 76.9 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius), surpassing the previous record set in July 1936 by 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit. NOAA's analysis indicated that warmer-than-normal conditions characterized much of the contiguous U.S. during the month. Regions experiencing the most significant heat included the Mountain West, the Southwest, the Northern Plains, and the Southeast. Alaska, however, presented a contrast to the national trend, experiencing cooler-than-average conditions throughout July. This marked a regional deviation from the widespread heat observed across the mainland states.