July 2023 hottest month on record in U.S.

The United States just sweltered through its hottest July ever recorded, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed Monday.

The record-breaking heat follows a string of extreme weather events across the country this summer, from Texas wildfires to flooding in Vermont. Scientists say human-caused climate change is making such heatwaves more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting. July’s average temperature hit 77.6°F (25.3°C) nationwide, beating the previous record set in 2021 by 0.2°F. Every state in the contiguous U.S. experienced temperatures above average for the month, with parts of the Southwest and Southern Plains baking under relentless heat.

The heat has already taken a toll. Power grids strained as air conditioners ran nonstop, and at least 38 heat-related deaths were reported in Texas alone. Phoenix, Arizona, saw 26 straight days above 110°F (43°C), shattering the city’s previous record. The extreme heat has also worsened drought conditions in the West, raising wildfire risks. Farmers in the Midwest reported crop damage from heat stress, while cities like Las Vegas and Miami issued excessive heat warnings.

What happens next could get worse. Climate models predict more record-breaking heat in August and September, with the National Weather Service warning that high temperatures will linger across much of the country. Scientists say reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the only long-term solution, but even then, adaptation measures like heat-resilient infrastructure will be critical. Without action, such records may soon become the new normal.