July 2026 Joins 2024 as Hottest July on Record

July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the hottest July on record, with NASA rating it the hottest July and NOAA/NCEI noting it’s likely the warmest month since 1850. Global ocean temperatures were record-warm for July while land temps were among the warmest; North America, Africa, and Asia posted their warmest July on record. The year-to-date is among the warmest on record, and a strengthening El Niño could push 2026 (and 2027) toward new highs. Arctic sea ice extended to its sixth-lowest July extent and Antarctic sea ice was near its fifth-lowest for July. Dozens of heat records were set worldwide, and the first half of 2026 saw 29 billion-dollar weather disasters totaling about $104 billion in damage. Scientists warn that the coming months could see further extreme warmth due to El Niño and ongoing climate change.