July U.S. Climate Recap - Alaska See Hottest Month on Record

news image
Special Stories
8 Aug 2019 1:45 AM
[NOAA]  For the fourth month in a row, the contiguous U.S. continued its streak of record-wet, 12-month periods, this time for August 2018 through July 2019.  Meanwhile, Alaska saw its hottest month in recorded history last month, accompanied by several wildfires. Here are more highlights from NOAA’s July 2019 U.S. climate report:

Climate by the numbers

July 2019 and last 12-month period

Wet conditions spanning the last 12 months (August 2018 through July 2019) set a new precipitation record for this period, with an average of 37.73 inches — 7.78 inches above average — according to scientists at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.

The average precipitation for July was 2.69 inches (0.09 of an inch below average), which ranked in the middle third of the 125-year record. Wetter conditions were found across the northern Plains, much of the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys and parts of the Northeast.

The average temperature for July across the contiguous U.S. was 74.6 degrees F (1.0 degree above the 20th-century average). Alaska marked its hottest July and hottest month on record with an average temperature of 58.1 degrees (5.4 degrees above average). The rest of the U.S. experienced temperatures that fell in the upper third of the 125-year record.

Year to date | January through July

The contiguous U.S. had its wettest year to date (January through July) on record. The average rainfall for was 21.79 inches, 3.70 inches above average.

For the year to date, the national temperature was 51.5 degrees F (0.2 degrees F above average), which ranked in the middle third of the historical record.

More highlights from the report

  • Heat stretched across the country: Seventeen states, from the U.S. Southwest to New England, had July temperatures that were much above average.
  • Barry brought record rainfall: Hurricane Barry dropped a total of 16.59 inches in Dierks, Arkansas, setting a state record for the most precipitation from a tropical system. The storm brought flooding to Arkansas and Louisiana.
  • Drought remained steady: July ended with 3% of the contiguous U.S. in drought, similar to what was reported at the beginning of the month.
Edited for WeatherNation by Meteorologist Mace Michaels
All Weather News
More
Severe Storms in the Midwest Could Dampen Holiday Plans

Severe Storms in the Midwest Could Dampen Holiday Plans

NORTHERN PLAINS - A frontal system is expecte

4 Jul 2025 3:20 AM
Near Seasonal Temperatures for Many Come July 4th!

Near Seasonal Temperatures for Many Come July 4th!

AAA is expecting over 70 million travelers to

4 Jul 2025 3:15 AM
NHC Monitoring Front in the Southeast Ahead of 4th of July

NHC Monitoring Front in the Southeast Ahead of 4th of July

Tropical downpours for a long holiday weekend

4 Jul 2025 3:10 AM
Flossie is No More, Eastern Pacific Remains Active

Flossie is No More, Eastern Pacific Remains Active

Post Tropical FlossieThe National Hurricane C

4 Jul 2025 3:05 AM
Northeast Severe Threat on Thursday

Northeast Severe Threat on Thursday

NORTHEAST -A shortwave trough will swing thro

3 Jul 2025 8:05 PM
Northwest Heat Met With Thunderstorm Risk

Northwest Heat Met With Thunderstorm Risk

NORTHWEST - Today, portions of Montana are un

3 Jul 2025 12:00 AM
Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Midwest

Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Midwest

It has been an active, severe season across t

30 Jun 2025 9:00 PM