The U.S. just had its hottest month on record

The United States sweltered through its hottest July ever recorded last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed Monday.Warmer-than-normal temperatures affected the entire contiguous U.S., averaging 76.9 degrees for the month, which was 3.3 degrees above the 20th-century average, according to NOAA.The troubling milestone came amid a month chock full of extreme weather events that hit nearly every corner of the country, including heat waves, drought, severe storms, flooding and wildfires.NOAA’s report said July 2026 was not only the warmest July but also the warmest-ever month in the agency’s 132 years of record-keeping.

Water bottles are added to a bucket of ice at the "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall on July 4, in Washington, D.C.Anna Rose Layden / Getty ImagesFor much of the country, it was a hot and dry month.

At the end of July, around 40% of the U.S.and Puerto Rico was in the grips of drought, according to the U.S.

Drought Monitor, which tracks conditions nationwide and releases weekly updates.Despite widespread drought, several regions experienced heavy rainfall in July that caused damaging flash flooding.Intense rain fell across Texas Hill Country from July 13 to 17, producing rainfall totals of more than 28 inches near the town of Knippa, in Uvalde County, according to NOAA.

Later in the month, from July 28 to 30, slow-moving thunderstorms dumped nearly 12 inches of rain over eastern New York, causing major flash flooding.July is typically one of the hottest months of the year, and last month was no exception.It was among the top five warmest Julys for 13 states, while Wyoming experienced its warmest July and warmest month on record, with temperatures a whopping 5.1 degrees above average, according to NOAA.Heat waves baked almost every part of the U.S.

last month, including much of the West, Southwest, Rockies, northern Plains, Upper Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Gulf Coast and Southeast.NOAA said multiple site...