In the western United States this summer, fields and forests look as if scorched by an invisible fire: grass crunches underfoot like dry autumn leaves, and rivers shrink to streams. According to the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, August 2026 became the warmest in 131 years of observations across the 48 contiguous states—the average temperature reached 75,58 °F, exceeding the previous 1983 record by 0,54 °F.
Other periods were not far behind. Summer (June–August) recorded 74,37 °F, surpassing the records of 1936 and 2021 by 0,39 °F, while January–August 2026 reached 57,98 °F, which is 0,08 °F higher than the 2012 figure. The Four Corners states—Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah—were particularly hard hit, with the summer proving to be the hottest in recorded history. More than a third of Americans experienced the warmest day of their lives in March, and July became the hottest month in the history of the contiguous United States.
The heat was not limited to the earth's surface. Temperatures in the lower layers of the atmosphere over the 48 states also set records for the summer and the year as a whole. Drought gripped 59 % of the territory, and 79 % of the states found themselves in abnormally dry conditions—figures close to historical highs. The Lake Mead and Lake Powell reservoirs are only 26 and 21 % full, respectively, reaching their lowest levels since their creation.
Wildfires intensified the picture: by 8 September, more than 53 thousand fires had been registered, covering over 8,3 million acres—the highest figures since 2016. Major fires in Nebraska and Oregon broke local records. The total area of burned land is 30 % higher than the decade's average, and fire services operated at maximum readiness for nearly a month and a half.
The situation is complicated by the transition from a moderate La Niña to a likely strong El Niño. Winter precipitation may bring relief to the south and west of the country, but it will not solve the long-term water supply problems in the growing and warming region. The records of 2026 show how steady warming is changing the familiar rhythms of nature and human life, forcing a reassessment of approaches to resource management and preparation for extreme events.
As the old saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
