10 US Cities Where August Heat Smashed Historical Records

This year, the average July temperature across the Continental United States was 76.9°F, making July 2026 the hottest month in recorded U.S. history. Now, the latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that August 2026 offered little in the way of relief. Last month’s average temperature was 75.6°F,  3.5°F higher than the August average during the 20th century, and higher than the August average in every year going back to at least 1895. 

In addition to the Continental U.S. as a whole, last month now stands as the hottest August on record in four states and 146 counties. While August temperatures exceeded historical monthly norms at an unprecedented scale this year, in many major cities, the departure from normal was even more pronounced. In many of these places, historic heatwaves pushed average daily highs into the upper 90s, and on some days, temperatures rose well into the triple digits. 

Using data from NOAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the U.S. cities where temperatures in August 2026 were well above historical norms. We ranked all cities with available data on the difference between the average daily high in August 2026, and the average daily August high between 1991 and 2020. Only the 10 cities with the largest temperature anomalies are ranked. Supplemental data on highest reported temperature in August 2026 are from the NOAA Northeast Regional Climate Center. Population data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey. 

10. Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Average daily high temperature in August 2026: 99.6°F (6.5°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in August 2026: 107°F on Aug. 18 (13.9°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Average temperature in August 2026: 87.7°F (5.4°F hotter than monthly norm)
• 30-year average temperature norms in August: 93.1°F daily high; 82.3°F daily avg. 
• Local population: 413,794

9. Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Average daily high temperature in August 2026: 95.5°F (7.0°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in August 2026: 101°F on Aug. 5 (12.5°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Average temperature in August 2026: 83.1°F (6.1°F hotter than monthly norm)
• 30-year average temperature norms in August: 88.5°F daily high; 77°F daily avg. 
• Local population: 562,218

8. Abilene, Texas

• Average daily high temperature in August 2026: 102.9°F (7.2°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in August 2026: 109°F on Aug. 23 (13.3°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Average temperature in August 2026: 89.9°F (5.7°F hotter than monthly norm)
• 30-year average temperature norms in August: 95.7°F daily high; 84.2°F daily avg. 
• Local population: 128,053

7. Dodge City, Kansas

• Average daily high temperature in August 2026: 98.3°F (7.5°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in August 2026: 107°F on Aug. 9 (16.2°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Average temperature in August 2026: 83.1°F (5.3°F hotter than monthly norm)
• 30-year average temperature norms in August: 90.8°F daily high; 77.8°F daily avg. 
• Local population: 27,613

6. Lubbock, Texas

• Average daily high temperature in August 2026: 99.6°F (7.5°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in August 2026: 107°F on Aug. 24 (14.8°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Average temperature in August 2026: 85.7°F (5.7°F hotter than monthly norm)
• 30-year average temperature norms in August: 92.2°F daily high; 80°F daily avg. 
• Local population: 264,814

5. Fort Smith, Arkansas

• Average daily high temperature in August 2026: 101.4°F (7.6°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in August 2026: 109°F on Aug. 19 (15.2°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Average temperature in August 2026: 88°F (5.2°F hotter than monthly norm)
• 30-year average temperature norms in August: 93.8°F daily high; 82.8°F daily avg. 
• Local population: 89,805

4. Wichita Falls, Texas

• Average daily high temperature in August 2026: 105°F (7.7°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in August 2026: 111°F on Aug. 24 (13.7°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Average temperature in August 2026: 90.5°F (6°F hotter than monthly norm)
• 30-year average temperature norms in August: 97.3°F daily high; 84.5°F daily avg. 
• Local population: 102,581

3. Wichita, Kansas

• Average daily high temperature in August 2026: 98.9°F (8.1°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in August 2026: 108°F on Aug. 13 (17.2°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Average temperature in August 2026: 85.2°F (5.6°F hotter than monthly norm)
• 30-year average temperature norms in August: 90.8°F daily high; 79.6°F daily avg. 
• Local population: 397,945

2. Amarillo, Texas

• Average daily high temperature in August 2026: 99.7°F (8.9°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in August 2026: 105°F on Aug. 23 (14.2°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Average temperature in August 2026: 85°F (7.2°F hotter than monthly norm)
• 30-year average temperature norms in August: 90.8°F daily high; 77.8°F daily avg. 
• Local population: 201,885

1. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Average daily high temperature in August 2026: 101.6°F (9.5°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in August 2026: 109°F on Aug. 18 (16.9°F hotter than monthly norm)
• Average temperature in August 2026: 87.9°F (6.9°F hotter than monthly norm)
• 30-year average temperature norms in August: 92.1°F daily high; 81°F daily avg. 
• Local population: 697,125