U.S. Records Hottest July in 132 Years

Why it matters locally: While not directly impacting specific West Virginia industries more than others, prolonged periods of extreme heat can strain local emergency services, including fire departments like the Cabell County Fire Department and Berkeley County Fire Services, and increase demand on healthcare facilities.

Washington D.C. — The United States recorded its warmest July last month, federal scientists announced. This July marked the warmest single month in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) 132 years of data collection. NOAA researchers compiled temperature data from across the country to reach this conclusion. Their analysis indicates the average temperature across the U.S. exceeded all previous July and monthly averages since the agency began tracking temperatures. The report specified the extent of the temperature anomaly. Scientists at NOAA did not offer immediate commentary on the long-term implications of the record-breaking temperatures. They presented the findings as part of their routine climate monitoring and reporting.