Record 100-Degree Heat Scorches October’s First Days

So far, 2026 is shaping up to be the hottest year in the history of the Continental United States. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average temperature was 59.3°F nationwide between January and September, about 4.2°F warmer than the 20th century average, and higher than in any year since at least 1895. 

This year also ranks as the hottest on record in over a dozen states, including California and Texas, where the average year-to-date temperature exceeds the 20th century average by 4.7°F and 4.9°F, respectively. In parts of these states, record-breaking heat has continued well into the fall season. In the first four days of October alone, 75 new daily highs were reported across California, and another 13 were reported in Texas. In many cases, new daily temperature records topped 100°F and shattered previous, often decades-old records.

Using local weather station data compiled by NOAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the places where the early days of October brought historic, triple digit temperatures. We ranked all weather stations with available data on new daily record-highs reported between October 1 and October 4, 2026. Only the 10 weather stations with the highest record-breaking temperatures are listed. Supplemental data on local 30-year average temperatures are from NOAA’s Northeast Regional Climate Center. All weather stations on this list are in either California or Texas. 

10. Santa Cruz Island Weather Station (Santa Barbara County, California)

• New daily record-high temperature: 101°F on Oct. 3, 2026
• Previous record-high on October 3: 95°F in 2020
• Local 30-year temperature norms for October 3: 76.7°F daily high; 57.9°F daily low; 67.3°F daily avg. 
• Local record keeping began: 36 years ago

9. Nacogdoches Weather Station (Nacogdoches County, Texas)

• New daily record-high temperature: 102°F on Oct. 3, 2026
• Previous record-high on October 3: 95°F in 2000
• Local 30-year temperature norms for October 3: 82.8°F daily high; 60.8°F daily low; 71.8°F daily avg. 
• Local record keeping began: 53 years ago

8. Downtown Los Angeles Weather Station (Los Angeles County, California)

• New daily record-high temperature: 103°F on Oct. 2, 2026
• Previous record-high on October 2: 101°F in 1995
• Local 30-year temperature norms for October 2: 80.4°F daily high; 62.3°F daily low; 71.4°F daily avg. 
• Local record keeping began: 120 years ago

7. Van Nuys Airport Weather Station (Los Angeles County, California)

• New daily record-high temperature: 103°F on Oct. 3, 2026
• Previous record-high on October 3: 101°F in 2014
• Local 30-year temperature norms for October 3: 85.6°F daily high; 59.4°F daily low; 72.5°F daily avg. 
• Local record keeping began: 77 years ago

6. Fremont Canyon Weather Station (Orange County, California)

• New daily record-high temperature: 103°F on Oct. 2, 2026
• Previous record-high on October 2: 100°F in 2020
• Local 30-year temperature norms for October 2: 76.4°F daily high; 54.4°F daily low; 65.4°F daily avg. 
• Local record keeping began: 34 years ago

5. Long Beach Daugherty Airport Weather Station (Los Angeles County, California)

• New daily record-high temperature: 103°F on Oct. 2, 2026
• Previous record-high on October 2: 98°F in 2014
• Local 30-year temperature norms for October 2: 79.6°F daily high; 61.9°F daily low; 70.7°F daily avg. 
• Local record keeping began: 77 years ago

4. Arroyo Seco Mt. Diablo Weather Station (Monterey County, California)

• New daily record-high temperature: 104°F on Oct. 4, 2026
• Previous record-high on October 4: 103°F in 2024
• Local 30-year temperature norms for October 4: 75.6°F daily high; 56.9°F daily low; 66.3°F daily avg. 
• Local record keeping began: 30 years ago

3. Corralitos Weather Station (Santa Cruz County, California)

• New daily record-high temperature: 105°F on Oct. 3, 2026
• Previous record-high on October 3: 104°F in 2024
• Local 30-year temperature norms for October 3: 75°F daily high; 49.9°F daily low; 62.5°F daily avg. 
• Local record keeping began: 36 years ago

2. Bell Canyon Weather Station (Orange County, California)

• New daily record-high temperature: 105°F on Oct. 3, 2026
• Previous record-high on October 3: 98°F in 2014
• Local 30-year temperature norms for October 3: 80.1°F daily high; 54.7°F daily low; 67.4°F daily avg. 
• Local record keeping began: 33 years ago

1. Santa Fe Dam Weather Station (Los Angeles County, California)

• New daily record-high temperature: 106°F on Oct. 3, 2026
• Previous record-high on October 3: 104°F in 2014
• Local 30-year temperature norms for October 3: 85.2°F daily high; 61.6°F daily low; 73.4°F daily avg. 
• Local record keeping began: 33 years ago