The facts
The National Centers for Environmental Information said the contiguous United States just had its warmest meteorological summer in 132 years of records.
June through August 2026 averaged 74.4°F, 3.0°F above the 20th-century average, and 0.4°F hotter than the previous records, which had been shared by 1936 and 2021. August itself averaged 75.6°F, the warmest August on the books. Daytime highs averaged 88.6°F, also a record.
NCEI said record heat was widespread across the West, Southwest, southern Rockies, southwestern Plains, and southern Florida. California, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado each set their hottest August. Drought covered 59.1 percent of the Lower 48 on September 1.
Our take
The Dust Bowl summer was the scary story America told itself about heat. We just beat it. Then we beat the rematch from 2021. The nights would not even do their one job, which is get cooler so you can sleep.
You can fight about pipelines, nuclear, China, cow farts, whatever helps you feel like you picked a team. The instrument does not care. It printed a number. The number is the highest one they have.
If your response is “but 1936,” congratulations, you can read a chart. 1936 is the thing we just surpassed. If your response is “this proves my senator is Jesus,” sit down. A hot summer is a measurement. Policy is an argument. Do not mash them into one sticky pile of content, retard.
More than half the country in drought while August cooked the Southwest is crops, reservoirs, and fire. Bring a drink. The night is not going to help you.
