NOAA And Copernicus Confirm Record U.S. And Global Heat In August And Summer 2026
NOAA and the EU's Copernicus climate service confirmed this week that the contiguous United States had its hottest summer on record and that August ranked among Earth's hottest months measured.[1]
NOAA's data showed the Lower 48 averaged 74.37°F (23.54°C) for June-August, about 0.4°F warmer than the 1936 Dust Bowl record.[1]
Copernicus reported that global average surface air temperature in August 2026 was 16.96°C (62.53°F), tying July 2023 as the hottest month on record within measurement uncertainty and sitting about 1.65°C above pre-industrial levels.[2] NOAA found that U.S. August averaged about 75.58°F (24.21°C) with a record average daytime high of about 88.56°F (31.42°C), and that drought covered nearly 60% of the country this summer.[1] Copernicus also said global ocean surface temperatures in August tied the March 2024 record and that August 22 set a record for the hottest day recorded in the world's seas.[2]
Copernicus found the eight hottest months on record have all occurred since July 2023.[2] Scientists said the pattern of frequent record-breaking, including August surpassing July, reflects accelerating human-driven warming interacting with a strong or developing El Niño.[2] They warned this combo is producing near-term impacts such as higher energy demand, hotter oceans, drought and increased wildfire risk.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Copernicus reported on September 10, 2026 that August 2026 averaged 16.96°C (62.53°F), tying July 2023 as the hottest month on record within measurement uncertainty, and that August was about 1.65°C above pre‑industrial levels — Copernicus also said the eight hottest months on record have all occurred since July 2023 (Copernicus).
- Copernicus reported on September 10, 2026 that global average ocean surface temperatures in August 2026 tied the March 2024 record for warmest month and that August 22, 2026 set a record for the hottest day recorded in the world's seas (global average ocean surface temperatures).
- NOAA announced that summer 2026 (June–August) was the warmest summer on record for the contiguous U.S. in 132 years, with the Lower 48 averaging 74.37°F (23.54°C) — about 0.4°F warmer than the 1936 Dust Bowl — according to NPR reporting on September 9–10, 2026 (Lower 48).
- NOAA data cited in NPR reporting on September 10, 2026 show U.S. August 2026 averaged about 75.58°F (24.21°C) with a record average daytime high of about 88.56°F (31.42°C), and drought affected nearly 60% of the U.S. this summer (NOAA data).
- Climate scientists quoted in the NPR coverage — including Andrew Dessler, Zeke Hausfather, Alexander Gershunov, Daniel Swain and Copernicus scientist Francesca Guglielmo — said the pattern of August surpassing July and frequent record‑breaking reflects accelerating human‑driven warming interacting with a strong or developing El Niño and is producing near‑term impacts such as higher energy demand, drought, hotter oceans and increased wildfire risk (climate scientists).
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Article reiterates that NOAA reported on September 10, 2026, that June–August 2026 was the warmest summer for the contiguous U.S. in 132 years of record-keeping.
- It reports that August 2026 averaged 75.6°F across the Lower 48, with record daytime maximum temperatures averaging 88.6°F, and that drought covered nearly 60% of the U.S. this summer.
- It restates Copernicus findings that global August 2026 temperatures exceeded 1.5°C (2.7°F) above pre-industrial levels and averaged 62.53°F globally, tying July 2023 as the hottest month on record.
- The piece adds expert commentary from climate scientists Alexander Gershunov and Daniel Swain and Copernicus scientist Francesca Guglielmo describing the heat as a manifestation of ongoing human-driven climate change interacting with developing El Niño, and noting near-term impacts such as higher energy demand, drought, hotter oceans and wildfire risk.
- Copernicus reported on September 10, 2026, that August 2026 averaged 16.96°C (62.53°F), tying July 2023 as the hottest month on record within measurement uncertainty.
- Copernicus found August 2026 was 1.65°C above pre‑industrial levels, well beyond the 1.5°C Paris Agreement threshold on a monthly basis.
- Copernicus said the eight hottest months on record have all occurred since July 2023.
- Copernicus reported that global average ocean surface temperatures in August 2026 tied the March 2024 record for warmest month, and that August 22, 2026, set a record for the hottest day recorded in the world's seas.
- NOAA announced on September 9, 2026, that summer 2026 (June–August) in the Lower 48 averaged 74.37°F (23.54°C), nearly 0.4°F warmer than the 1936 Dust Bowl record, clarifying the precise margin.
- NOAA data cited in the article show U.S. August 2026 averaged 75.58°F (24.21°C), with a record average daytime high of 88.56°F (31.42°C), both surpassing previous records.
- Scientists quoted in the piece, including Andrew Dessler and Zeke Hausfather, describe the pattern of August surpassing July and frequent record-breaking as evidence of accelerating human‑driven warming interacting with a strong El Niño.