US climate agency reports warmest July in the United States in over 130 years

Data basis and methodology

With the month now evaluated, a trend that had already been documented in previous years continues, according to the climate agency. Accordingly, the current year is among the warmest since the beginning of modern weather records. The agency evaluates temperature data monthly from a dense network of measuring stations in all US states.

In the densely populated regions along the East Coast as well, including the New York metropolitan area, measuring stations registered above-average values. The agency explained that the heat had persisted for several days in several major cities. Exact values for individual cities were not broken down in the initial announcement.

Scientists attribute the development to human-caused climate change. The NCEI data show that the frequency of extremely hot months in the USA has increased over the past decades. A direct attribution of individual weather events to global warming is methodologically complex, however.

Regional distribution of the heat

The agency further explained that, in addition to the average values, the number of days with extreme heat had also risen in several regions. This would have impacts on public health, energy supply and agriculture. Detailed impact assessments were not initially published.

For the coming weeks, the agency expects persistently high temperatures in parts of the western and southern US. An official forecast for August has not yet been issued. The NCEI will continue to update and publish its evaluations on a monthly basis.

Climate researchers worldwide are observing the development in the USA with a view to global average values. The USA is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases and is therefore a central reference point for international climate negotiations. The data now presented are likely to feed into upcoming reports by international bodies.

Assessment by the NCEI

The US climate agency NCEI is the central institution of the US government for climate recording and weather data. It is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and has been evaluating meteorological data for decades. Its monthly reports are regarded as a reference for climate developments in the United States.

The classification of July 2026 as the warmest month since 1895 underscores, according to experts, the urgency of adaptation measures to rising temperatures. These include, among other things, heat protection plans for cities, investment in cooler infrastructure and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.