The U.S. just had its hottest summer on record, NOAA says
September 9, 2026 / 4:03 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- The summer of 2026 was the hottest on record in the U.S. since records began 132 years ago.
- Nationwide average temperatures between June and August were 74.4 degrees Fahrenheit, exceeding previous records.
- August 2026 also broke monthly temperature records, averaging 75.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Record warmth was widespread, especially in the West and Southwest, leading to heat waves, wildfires, and declining water reserves.
- Precipitation across the U.S. was below the 20th-century average, with California experiencing its driest summer since 2002.
- Drought conditions expanded significantly, covering 59.1% of the U.S. by the start of September.