The States on Track to Shatter Heat Records in 2026

Fewer than four months remain in 2026, and this year is on pace to be the hottest on record in the Continental United States. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average temperature in the Lower 48 was 58.0°F between January and August this year, about 4.1°F warmer than the 20th century average for the same eight month time period. 

This year’s record-breaking warmth was driven, in large part, by an exceptionally hot summer. August 2026 stands as the hottest August ever, and July 2026 was not only the hottest July, but also the hottest month overall since at least 1895, when record keeping began. 

The year has been particularly warm in the Western U.S. and parts of the South. Unseasonably high temperatures fueled historically low snowfall across the Rockies, and summer heat waves regularly pushed the mercury well into the triple digits in many of the same areas. Currently, average temperatures so far in 2026 are at all-time highs in 10 of the Lower 48 states. In most of these places, the average temperature in the first eight months of the year exceeds the comparable 20^th century average by 5°F or more. 

Using data from NOAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the states where 2026 is on track to be the hottest year in history. We took the 10 states where the average temperature in the first eight months of 2026 is higher than the January through August average for any other year on record, and ranked them on the difference between this year’s average temperature, and the average temperature for the same eight month time period during the 20th century. Supplemental data on the highest recorded temperature so far this year in each state is from NOAA’s Northeast Regional Climate Center.  

10. Texas

• Average temperature from January-August 2026: 71.0°F (highest on record)
• Average January-August temperature in 20^th century: 66.5°F (4.5°F cooler than 2026)
• Average daily high, January-August 2026: 83.7°F (4.7°F warmer than 20^th century norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in state so far this year: 118°F on June 19, 2026, in Reagan County

9. Montana

• Average temperature from January-August 2026: 48.2°F (highest on record)
• Average January-August temperature in 20^th century: 43.3°F (4.9°F cooler than 2026)
• Average daily high, January-August 2026: 61.2°F (5.6°F warmer than 20^th century norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in state so far this year: 116°F on July 13, 2026, in Rosebud County

8. Oklahoma

• Average temperature from January-August 2026: 66.8°F (highest on record)
• Average January-August temperature in 20^th century: 61.8°F (5.0°F cooler than 2026)
• Average daily high, January-August 2026: 79.8°F (6.0°F warmer than 20^th century norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in state so far this year: 113°F on August 25, 2026, in Grady County

7. California

• Average temperature from January-August 2026: 63.6°F (highest on record)
• Average January-August temperature in 20^th century: 58.5°F (5.2°F cooler than 2026)
• Average daily high, January-August 2026: 76.6°F (5.4°F warmer than 20^th century norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in state so far this year: 124°F on August 8, 2026, in Inyo County

6. Nevada

• Average temperature from January-August 2026: 57.1°F (highest on record)
• Average January-August temperature in 20^th century: 51.4°F (5.7°F cooler than 2026)
• Average daily high, January-August 2026: 71.6°F (6.4°F warmer than 20^th century norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in state so far this year: 120°F on August 4, 2026, in Clark County

5. New Mexico

• Average temperature from January-August 2026: 60.6°F (highest on record)
• Average January-August temperature in 20^th century: 54.9°F (5.7°F cooler than 2026)
• Average daily high, January-August 2026: 76.4°F (6.5°F warmer than 20^th century norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in state so far this year: 110°F on July 28, 2026, in Quay County

4. Wyoming

• Average temperature from January-August 2026: 48.6°F (highest on record)
• Average January-August temperature in 20^th century: 42.9°F (5.7°F cooler than 2026)
• Average daily high, January-August 2026: 62.7°F (6.9°F warmer than 20^th century norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in state so far this year: 111°F on July 13, 2026, in Park County

3. Colorado

• Average temperature from January-August 2026: 52.5°F (highest on record)
• Average January-August temperature in 20^th century: 46.6°F (5.9°F cooler than 2026)
• Average daily high, January-August 2026: 67.4°F (7.0°F warmer than 20^th century norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in state so far this year: 113°F on July 27, 2026, in Kit Carson County

2. Arizona

• Average temperature from January-August 2026: 67.0°F (highest on record)
• Average January-August temperature in 20^th century: 61.1°F (6.0°F cooler than 2026)
• Average daily high, January-August 2026: 81.8°F (6.5°F warmer than 20^th century norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in state so far this year: 122°F on August 2, 2026, in Mohave County

1. Utah

• Average temperature from January-August 2026: 56.1°F (highest on record)
• Average January-August temperature in 20^th century: 49.8°F (6.3°F cooler than 2026)
• Average daily high, January-August 2026: 69.9°F (7.3°F warmer than 20^th century norm)
• Highest temperature recorded in state so far this year: 112°F on August 2, 2026, in Washington County