The summer of 2026 has been extraordinarily hot, with temperatures hitting unprecedented levels globally and in the U.S. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that this summer was the warmest recorded in the past 132 years for the Lower 48 states. Globally, August matched July 2023 as the hottest month ever documented, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
In August, temperatures surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a crucial climate threshold set by countries in 2015. The Pacific Ocean experienced record high sea surface temperatures as the El Niño climate pattern started developing. Francesca Guglielmo from Copernicus highlighted the trend of rising temperatures, noting the necessity for mitigation measures.
Data from Copernicus indicated an average global temperature of 62.53 degrees Fahrenheit in August. Research meteorologist Alexander Gershunov explained the widespread impact of these temperatures, affecting various regions globally including Europe and Japan. The U.S. recorded an average temperature of 75.6 degrees Fahrenheit in August, the highest on record, with a daytime maximum reaching 88.6 degrees Fahrenheit according to NOAA.
The summer also saw drought conditions covering nearly 60% of the U.S. Climate scientist Daniel Swain predicted ongoing reports of record-breaking heat, emphasizing the need for awareness of its real-time impacts such as increased energy demand and heightened wildfire risk.
“There is a chain of events from larger to smaller scale, the impacts of which are felt by people every day,” said Guglielmo.
Human-caused climate change remains the primary driver of these extreme temperatures. Swain emphasized the role of climate change in exacerbating heat waves, alongside the natural El Niño pattern contributing additional heat.
The summer heat led to severe effects in Europe, with thousands of heat-related deaths reported in France. In the U.S., millions faced extreme heat advisories with above-average nighttime temperatures across most regions, affecting recovery and sleep cycles. Climate Central found that globally, people lose an average of seven full nights of sleep annually due to heat.
NOAA forecasted above-average temperatures for September with a significant risk of wildfires, particularly in parts of the Northwest and Southern U.S. Swain stressed the importance of reducing fossil fuel emissions to tackle climate change effectively, despite progress in green energy.
“We [have] got to bend that carbon curve,” Swain remarked.