Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

US July Heat Breaks 132-Year Record: UK, France Brace For 5th Heat Wave Of 2026

July 2026 was the hottest month in the US in more than a century of official temperature records, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (<span>NOAA</span>). 

The Lower 48 states recorded an average temperature of 76.89°F (24.94°C) — 3.3°F (1.8°C) above the 20th-century average — narrowly surpassing the previous July record set in 1936, when severe drought and extreme heat devastated large parts of the country. 

The record followed weeks of intense heatwaves, prolonged extreme temperatures and widespread wildfires. 

<h2>Overnight Temperatures Soar in US </h2>

Daytime maximum temperatures averaged 89.5°F, making July the sixth-warmest month on record for daytime temperatures. 

Overnight temperatures averaged 64.2°F, the highest recorded in any month and 3.7°F above the average. They were also 0.7°F hotter than July 2022. 

Scientists attributed the record heat to climate change. A Climate Central analysis using data from 1970 to 2024 found that climate change has contributed to hotter summer nights and made extreme heat more frequent, longer-lasting and intense. 

<h2>Which US States Recorded the Highest Heat? </h2>

“Much-above-average” temperatures were recorded across the interior of West, Southwest, Rockies, northern Plains, upper Midwest and parts of the Gulf Coast and Southeast. 

Thirteen states had one of their five warmest Julys. Wyoming recorded its hottest month on record, 0.9°F above its previous record. 

Alaska was 0.9°F cooler than its 1925–2000 average, while Hawaii was 0.6°F warmer than its 1991–2020 average. 

<h2>Heat and Drought Hit Large Parts of US </h2>

High temperatures coincided with below-average precipitation across several regions, including the northern Rockies, northern Plains, upper Midwest, Northeast, southern Plains, Mississippi Valley, central Gulf Coast and Southeast. 

About 48.5% of the mainland US and Washington, DC, were in drought as of Tuesday, according to the US Drought Monitor. More than two-thirds of Puerto Rico were also in drought. 

Wildfire smoke blanketed parts of the US as major fires burned across Canada and the Pacific Northwest. 

<h2>UK, France Brace For Fifth <span rel="noindex">Heat Wave</span> of 2026 </h2>

The UK and France are bracing for the fifth heat wave of the season, following repeated bouts of extreme heat across Europe since May. 

France’s Météo-France is warning of temperatures approaching 40°C (104°F) in southeastern France from Tuesday. 

In the UK, an amber heat-health alert for most of England will begin Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to reach 36°C (96.8°F) later this week. 

<h2><span rel="noindex">Heat Death Toll</span> In US And Europe </h2>

Extreme heat has been linked to more than 25,000 deaths across Europe in 2026, while at least 70 deaths have been directly linked to major July heat domes in the US. 

<ul><li>A Washington Post analysis counted at least 70 US deaths linked to major July heat domes as of late July, but said the figure was likely an undercount. </li></ul><ul><li>A preliminary analysis estimated 20,390 excess deaths across Europe during the June 2026 heatwave. </li></ul><ul><li>By early August, Bloomberg data put Europe’s 2026 heat-related deaths above 25,000. </li></ul><ul><li>France recorded more than 5,700 excess deaths during the June heatwave, according to health authorities.</li></ul>

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July 2026 was the hottest month in the US in more than a century of official temperature records, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Lower 48 states recorded an average temperature of 76.89°F (24.94°C) — 3.3°F (1.8°C) above the 20th-century average — narrowly surpassing the previous July record set in 1936, when severe drought and extreme heat devastated large parts of the country. The record followed weeks of intense heatwaves, prolonged extreme temperatures and widespread wildfires. Overnight Temperatures Soar in US Daytime maximum temperatures averaged 89.5°F, making July the sixth-warmest month on record for daytime temperatures. Overnight temperatures averaged 64.2°F, the highest recorded in any month and 3.7°F above the average. They were also 0.7°F hotter than July 2022. Scientists attributed the record heat to climate change. A Climate Central analysis using data from 1970 to 2024 found that climate change has contributed to hotter summer nights and made extreme heat more frequent, longer-lasting and intense. Which US States Recorded the Highest Heat? “Much-above-average” temperatures were recorded across the interior of West, Southwest, Rockies, northern Plains, upper Midwest and parts of the Gulf Coast and Southeast. Thirteen states had one of their five warmest Julys. Wyoming recorded its hottest month on record, 0.9°F above its previous record. Alaska was 0.9°F cooler than its 1925–2000 average, while Hawaii was 0.6°F warmer than its 1991–2020 average. Heat and Drought Hit Large Parts of US High temperatures coincided with below-average precipitation across several regions, including the northern Rockies, northern Plains, upper Midwest, Northeast, southern Plains, Mississippi Valley, central Gulf Coast and Southeast. About 48.5% of the mainland US and Washington, DC, were in drought as of Tuesday, according to the US Drought Monitor. More than two-thirds of Puerto Rico were also in drought. Wildfire smoke blanketed parts of the US as major fires burned across Canada and the Pacific Northwest. UK, France Brace For Fifth Heat Wave of 2026 The UK and France are bracing for the fifth heat wave of the season, following repeated bouts of extreme heat across Europe since May. France’s Météo-France is warning of temperatures approaching 40°C (104°F) in southeastern France from Tuesday. In the UK, an amber heat-health alert for most of England will begin Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to reach 36°C (96.8°F) later this week. Heat Death Toll In US And Europe Extreme heat has been linked to more than 25,000 deaths across Europe in 2026, while at least 70 deaths have been directly linked to major July heat domes in the US. A Washington Post analysis counted at least 70 US deaths linked to major July heat domes as of late July, but said the figure was likely an undercount. A preliminary analysis estimated 20,390 excess deaths across Europe during the June 2026 heatwave. By early August, Bloomberg data put Europe’s 2026 heat-related deaths above 25,000. France recorded more than 5,700 excess deaths during the June heatwave, according to health authorities.

us july heat breaks 132-year record: uk, france brace for 5th heat wave of 2026

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US July Heat Breaks 132-Year Record: UK, France Brace For 5th Heat Wave Of 2026

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US July Heat Breaks 132-Year Record: UK, France Brace For 5th Heat Wave Of 2026

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