The US just had its hottest summer on record, surpassing the Dust Bowl era

The contiguous United States has experienced its hottest summer on record in 2026, with average temperatures from June 1 to August 29 surpassing those of the notorious Dust Bowl summer of 1936. This marks a new milestone for temperature extremes across the Lower 48 states.

The average temperature for summer 2026 was approximately 2.05 degrees Fahrenheit above the historical average, narrowly exceeding the 1936 record. This record-breaking summer follows July 2026, which was also declared the hottest July ever recorded across the contiguous U.S., with an average of 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the July 1936 record by an eighth of a degree. While 2026 set a new benchmark for overall summer average temperatures, the Dust Bowl era of 1936 still holds the record for the highest individual daytime temperatures. Scientists note that unusually warm nights and higher humidity levels contributed significantly to the elevated average temperatures this summer.