Key facts
- July 2024 was the hottest month ever recorded in the contiguous United States.
- The average temperature last month was 3.3F (1.8C) above the 20th-century average.
- The record-breaking heat was attributed to three separate heat dome events and amplified by the climate crisis.
- Extreme heat affected large portions of the US, including the West, Rockies, Midwest, Gulf Coast, and Southeast.
- The heat has had significant impacts on Americans' electricity bills, travel plans, and daily activities.
July 2024 was the hottest month ever recorded in the contiguous United States, shattering previous records stretching back 132 years, according to new data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa).
The month's average temperature was 3.3F (1.8C) higher than the 20th-century average, surpassing records set in July 1936 and July 2012. This extreme heat was driven by three separate heat dome events that affected large swaths of the country, from the West Coast to the Southeast.
Scientists have linked the elevated temperatures and widespread wildfires, which blanketed parts of the US in smoke, to the human-caused climate crisis, fueled by the burning of fossil fuels. This phenomenon is contributing to record-breaking summers globally, with Europe also experiencing its hottest summer on record.
The intense heat has had tangible impacts on Americans' lives. Nearly half of those polled reported a major impact on their electricity bills due to increased air conditioning use, while about 40% said their travel plans were altered. Furthermore, two-thirds of respondents indicated their families' outdoor activities were affected, and half reported their exercise routines were hampered.
Despite the clear consequences of climate change, President Donald Trump has continued to advocate for fossil fuel production and has previously dismissed climate science. Looking ahead, an unusually strong El Niño event is expected to contribute to potentially record-breaking global temperatures in the coming year, surpassing even the records set in 2024.