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July 2026 was tied for the warmest July on record globally and was the all-time warmest July for the contiguous U.S. This extreme heat, driven by human-caused climate change and a strengthening El Niño, has led to a significant increase in cooling degree days—a proxy for energy demand—across most major U.S. cities. The report also details widespread drought affecting at least 70% of the contiguous U.S. and record-low sea-ice extents in both the Arctic and Antarctic.

April 2026 was the fourth-warmest month globally on record, with the contiguous U.S. experiencing its third-warmest April. The report highlights severe drought in the Southeast U.S., record-low Western snowpack, and a persistent marine heat wave off the coasts of California and Mexico. Using the Climate Shift Index (CSI), the analysis attributes springtime warming trends in 98% of analyzed U.S. cities to human-caused climate change, with exceptional warmth noted in Honolulu and San Juan. Forecasts indicate a high probability of a strong El Niño developing later in 2026, potentially driving global temperature anomalies above 1.8°C relative to pre-industrial levels by early 2027.

March 2026 was the warmest March on record for the contiguous U.S., characterized by a historic snow drought in the West and extreme heat that increased cooling energy demand. Globally, the month was the second-warmest on record, with Arctic sea-ice reaching a near-record low maximum. In the U.S., severe drought affected 77% of the contiguous region, while Hawaii experienced record-breaking precipitation due to Kona lows.

February 2026 was the fifth-warmest month globally on record, with the contiguous U.S. experiencing its second-warmest winter in 132 years. A critical 'snow drought' affected the western U.S., where snow-covered areas in January were only 34% of normal, threatening water supplies for agriculture and energy. Climate Central's analysis indicates that human-driven climate change significantly influenced winter temperatures, particularly in the Southwest, and is the primary cause of spring warming in 98% of 241 examined U.S. cities.

The October 2025 briefing reports that global temperatures remained exceptionally high, with the month ranking as the third warmest on record. In the U.S., warming fall temperatures have delayed the first freeze in 88% of analyzed cities, while significant drought persists across 67% of the contiguous U.S. despite localized heavy rainfall in Southern California.