The average temperature recorded in the contiguous United States in July rose to 24.94 degrees. Covering the 48 states outside Alaska and Hawaii, this figure set a new record for July temperatures.
Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed that the previous record, measured during a drought in 1936, was surpassed by about 0.13 degrees.
Rising temperatures affected broad regions
While temperatures in Alaska remained below seasonal averages, large areas of the contiguous United States faced extreme heat. The Southwest, Northern Plains and Southeast were particularly affected by these conditions.
Rising nighttime temperatures played the most important role in the record average. Scientists consider warmer nights one of the clearest indicators of human-caused climate change.