{
  "id": 687517,
  "title": "What Living Through the Hottest July Ever Looked Like Across the U.S.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/what-living-through-the-hottest-july-ever-looked-like-across-the-u-s",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-12T18:25:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/article/2026/08/12/us-record-hottest-july-photos/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In July 2026, the United States witnessed the hottest month on record, shattering temperature records across the nation. Average temperatures for the contiguous U.S. were 3.3°F (1.8°C) higher than the 20th century average, making it the warmest July in 132 years. Idaho, Utah, and Montana all set all-time temperature records on July 12, with Salt Lake City reaching a scorching 109°F, Billings 111°F, and Miles City 115°F. Wyoming and Montana both experienced their warmest months ever.\n\nThe extreme heat was not the only challenge Americans faced. Wildfires in eastern Oregon burned through 140,000 acres, forcing thousands to evacuate. Firefighters and federal resources were overwhelmed as other fires burned in Colorado, Washington, and beyond. The smoke from these blazes, combined with fires in nearby Canada, caused some of the worst air quality in the country. Chicago reported the worst air quality in the world by mid-July.\n\nWhile July was the driest on record, Central Texas experienced flash floods along the Guadalupe River, dumping over 28 inches of rain. Two people died in the floods, which mirrored the catastrophic flooding from last year's July 4th weekend. The month demonstrated the varied impacts of climate change, with residents in Texas and Oregon dealing with flooded or burned homes, while those in the Midwest struggled with poor air quality and the need to wear N95 masks.\n\nDespite the challenges, people found ways to cope with the heat. Some sought refuge in shaded tree-lined streets, while others found relief in fire hydrants and lakes. Firefighters battled wildfires across the country, using water drops and sand berms to protect communities. As the month came to a close, residents across the nation struggled to adapt to the unprecedented heat and climate events.",
  "summary": "Communities across the U.S. felt the heat.",
  "key_points": [
    "July 2026 was the hottest July ever recorded in the contiguous U.S.",
    "Idaho, Utah, and Montana set all-time temperature records in July.",
    "Air quality in Chicago was the worst in the world due to wildfires."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}