States Where Historic Heat Records are Being Shattered in 2026

The year is halfway over, and climate readings from the first six months of 2026 reveal the continuation of a now decades-long warming trend. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average temperature was 51.9°F in the continental United States between the beginning of January and the end of June 2026. So far, this year ranks as the second hottest since record keeping began in 1895 and is about 4.4°F warmer than the 20th century year-to-date average. 

At the regional level, departures from historical temperature norms have been even more pronounced this year. In the Western and Southwestern United States, average temperatures so far this year have exceeded historical norms by as much as 6.3°F. In nine states across these regions, collectively home to nearly 98 million Americans, 2026 now stands as the hottest year in at least 132 years of record keeping. 

Whether or not temperatures in these places normalize in the second half of the year remains to be seen. But preliminary readings from local weather stations show record-breaking heat has continued well into the month of July. 

Using data from NOAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the states where 2026 currently ranks as the hottest year on record. We reviewed average temperatures between January and June for each year going back to 1895 and listed the states where the first half of 2026 ranks as the warmest. We also reviewed local weather station data in each of the nine states on this list to identify the highest record-breaking temperature so far in July 2026. All supplemental data is from NOAA and states are listed in alphabetical order. 

1. Arizona

• Avg. temperature in the first half of 2026: 61.6°F (highest since at least 1895)
• Previous record-high avg. temperature, January-June: 59.4°F in 2018 (2.2°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Avg. temperature between January and June in the 20th century: 55.2°F (6.4°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Highest record-breaking temperature so far in July 2026: 95°F on July 11th (reported at Flagstaff Weather Station)
• Previous record-high temperature on July 11th for weather station: 93°F in 2024
• 30-year avg. temperature on July 11th for weather station: 66.8°F

2. California

• Avg. temperature in the first half of 2026: 58.7°F (highest since at least 1895)
• Previous record-high avg. temperature, January-June: 58.4°F in 2015 (0.3°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Avg. temperature between January and June in the 20th century: 53.2°F (5.5°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Highest record-breaking temperature so far in July 2026: 104°F on July 21st (reported at King City Weather Station)
• Previous record-high temperature on July 21st for weather station: 101°F in 2006
• 30-year avg. temperature on July 21st for weather station: 69.6°F

3. Colorado

• Avg. temperature in the first half of 2026: 46.2°F (highest since at least 1895)
• Previous record-high avg. temperature, January-June: 45.0°F in 2012 (1.2°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Avg. temperature between January and June in the 20th century: 40.1°F (6.1°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Highest record-breaking temperature so far in July 2026: 107°F on July 20th (reported at Greeley UNC Weather Station)
• Previous record-high temperature on July 20th for weather station: 106°F in 1998
• 30-year avg. temperature on July 20th for weather station: 76.1°F

4. Nevada

• Avg. temperature in the first half of 2026: 50.9°F (highest since at least 1895)
• Previous record-high avg. temperature, January-June: 50.4°F in 2015 (0.5°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Avg. temperature between January and June in the 20th century: 44.9°F (6.0°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Highest record-breaking temperature so far in July 2026: 103°F on July 13th (reported at Mcgill Weather Station)
• Previous record-high temperature on July 13th for weather station: 102°F in 1927
• 30-year avg. temperature on July 13th for weather station: 70.9°F

5. New Mexico

• Avg. temperature in the first half of 2026: 55.2°F (highest since at least 1895)
• Previous record-high avg. temperature, January-June: 53.4°F in 2000 (1.8°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Avg. temperature between January and June in the 20th century: 49.3°F (5.9°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Highest record-breaking temperature so far in July 2026: 110°F on July 12th (reported at Tucumcari 4 NE Weather Station)
• Previous record-high temperature on July 12th for weather station: 108°F in 2020
• 30-year avg. temperature on July 12th for weather station: 80.3°F

6. Oklahoma

• Avg. temperature in the first half of 2026: 60.5°F (highest since at least 1895)
• Previous record-high avg. temperature, January-June: 60.3°F in 2012 (0.2°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Avg. temperature between January and June in the 20th century: 55.2°F (5.3°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Highest record-breaking temperature so far in July 2026: 103°F on July 4th (reported at Clinton Sherman Airport Weather Station)
• Previous record-high temperature on July 4th for weather station: 102°F in 2024
• 30-year avg. temperature on July 4th for weather station: 81.5°F

7. Texas

• Avg. temperature in the first half of 2026: 66.2°F (highest since at least 1895)
• Previous record-high avg. temperature, January-June: 65.6°F in 2012 (0.6°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Avg. temperature between January and June in the 20th century: 61.3°F (4.9°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Highest record-breaking temperature so far in July 2026: 108°F on July 13th (reported at Hords Creek Dam Weather Station)
• Previous record-high temperature on July 13th for weather station: 106°F in 2023
• 30-year avg. temperature on July 13th for weather station: 82.2°F

8. Utah

• Avg. temperature in the first half of 2026: 49.6°F (highest since at least 1895)
• Previous record-high avg. temperature, January-June: 48.4°F in 1934 (1.2°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Avg. temperature between January and June in the 20th century: 42.9°F (6.7°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Highest record-breaking temperature so far in July 2026: 111°F on July 12th (reported at Deseret Weather Station)
• Previous record-high temperature on July 12th for weather station: 110°F in 2024
• 30-year avg. temperature on July 12th for weather station: 76.0°F

9. Wyoming

• Avg. temperature in the first half of 2026: 41.8°F (highest since at least 1895)
• Previous record-high avg. temperature, January-June: 41.5°F in 1934 (0.3°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Avg. temperature between January and June in the 20th century: 35.8°F (6.0°F less than 2026 avg.)
• Highest record-breaking temperature so far in July 2026: 111°F on July 13th (reported at Clark 3 NE Weather Station)
• Previous record-high temperature on July 13th for weather station: 101°F in 2002
• 30-year avg. temperature on July 13th for weather station: 69.6°F