Another Miserably Hot Summer Is Nearly Over. NOAA Says It’s the Worst on Record
The heat was immense, and that’s bad news for already rising utility bills.
Summer 2026 has been declared the hottest on record by NOAA, shattering previous heat records set in 2021 and 1936. The average temperature across the continental United States reached an all-time high of 75.6 degrees Fahrenheit, with daytime maximum temperatures averaging 88.6 degrees. The southern and western regions of the US bore the brunt of this extreme heat, whereas the Midwest, Great Lakes area, and northeastern states experienced near or slightly above average temperatures.
Arizona, for instance, faced its second hottest summer on record, with an average temperature of 97 degrees and a staggering 39 days surpassing 110 degrees and 121 days above 100 degrees. Alaska and Hawaii also witnessed their third-warmest summers on record.
A significant portion of the country, nearly 60%, resides in drought conditions, as reported by the US Drought Monitor. The Ohio Valley and parts of the Midwest saw adequate rainfall, while the rest of the nation received below-average precipitation.
NOAA attributes the scorching summer to persistent heat domes and drought conditions. The jet stream, responsible for dictating weather patterns, was skewed towards high pressure in the US, trapping heat and creating extended heat domes. Coupled with drought, this allowed solar energy to heat the dry ground and air more efficiently.
Unfortunately, summer heat isn't the only season on track for above-average temperatures. NOAA's latest report reveals that 2026's El Niño is intensifying and is 90% likely to persist into winter 2026-27. This "super" El Niño, a weather pattern caused by warmer than average conditions in the Pacific Ocean, is unprecedented in its historical significance. Its influence extends globally, impacting hurricane threats in Hawaii and the Atlantic, and elevating temperatures across the country.
The warmer climate isn't exempt from bringing cold; in fact, it might even intensify snowfall in some areas. Data centers, which currently consume approximately 70 TWh of electricity annually, are also contributing to the surge in energy demand. Their usage has more than doubled in three years, reaching 448 TWh in 2025, with projections suggesting a further surge to 980 TWh by 2030.
The cost of this heat is mounting. Electricity demand spiked over the summer of 2026, causing utility bills to soar by an average of 4%, with some regions experiencing an increase of up to 10%. Data centers, already a significant energy consumer, are expected to follow suit, with their energy usage projected to increase further.
Written by urgent.news from CNET's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
