Weather Trends & Analysis
In-depth analysis of record-breaking weather events, seasonal outlooks, and climate trends. Every article is backed by historical data from 139+ million NOAA observations covering 14,000+ US weather stations since 1970.
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Latest Analysis
July 2026 Heat Recap: 1,500+ Records Fell as Montana Hit 116°F
More than 1,500 daily temperature records broke in the first half of July 2026. An East Coast heat wave over the July 4th weekend toppled records from 1970; a northern-Plains heat dome a week later pushed eastern Montana to 116°F, breaking records from 2002. Built from our live NOAA records pipeline.
Every State's Hottest July on Record: All 50 States Ranked
Death Valley's 134°F on July 10, 1913 is the hottest July — and hottest any-month — temperature ever recorded on Earth. We ranked all 50 states from NOAA records and found July's book is the opposite of June's: 27 of 50 records predate 1960 and 17 still stand from the Dust Bowl. Includes July 2026's 1,311 broken records.
Western Heat Wave July 2026: Montana Hit 115°F as 350 Records Fell
The July 11—13, 2026 heat dome broke roughly 350 daily high-temperature records across the northern Rockies and Plains. Miles City, MT hit 115°F, Salt Lake City 109°F, and 109 of the records replaced marks set in 2002 — measured from 56 years of NOAA daily records.
US Drought 2026: How Bad It Is and the Driest States
About 40% of the US is in drought this July, but the deepest 2026 rainfall deficits are in the Southeast: Arkansas is down ~12 inches, North Carolina down ~10. We ranked every state's shortfall from 139M NOAA records and checked it against the official US Drought Monitor.
The Driest Cities in America, Ranked by NOAA Data
Yuma, Arizona is the driest city in America — just 2.5 inches of rain a year, on only 15 days. Ranked from 139M NOAA records: the driest big cities, why 'low total' and 'rarely rains' aren't the same, the driest states (Nevada leads at ~9.5"), and the drought trend the listicles miss.
The Coldest Cities in America, Ranked by NOAA Data
Fairbanks, Alaska is the coldest major city in America, averaging just 29.5°F a year. Ranked from 139M NOAA records: the coldest major cities, the coldest in the Lower 48 (International Falls, the 'Icebox of the Nation'), the Alaskan extremes, and the coldest states — with the record lows behind each.
The Rainiest Cities in America, Ranked (and Why It Isn’t Seattle)
The rainiest major cities in America are on the Gulf Coast — Pensacola, Miami, Mobile and New Orleans all average 67–73 inches a year. Seattle gets barely 40. Ranked from 139M NOAA records, with the data that busts the Seattle myth: it rains often there, just not much.
July 2026 East Coast Heat Wave: Every Record It Broke, DC to Boston
The July 2—4, 2026 heat dome broke or tied a daily high-temperature record in every one of the nine East Coast cities we analyzed. Atlantic City hit 105.9°F, Newark 105°F, and New York City reached 100°F for the first time since 2012 — measured from 56 years of NOAA daily records.
The Hottest Places on Earth: Air vs. Surface Temperature
The hottest air temperature ever reliably measured was 56.7°C (134°F) in Death Valley — but satellites have clocked the Lut Desert’s ground at 80.8°C. We rank the hottest places on Earth by air temperature, land-surface temperature and hottest inhabited place, untangling the definitions that make every other list disagree.
June 2026 Was a Top-5 Hottest June for Boston, Philly & DC — But Not Texas
We ranked 27 US cities by how far June 2026 ran above their 56-year average using 139M NOAA records. Boston led at +4.6°F (4th-warmest June in 57 years); Seattle and Portland ran 3°F+ above normal; but San Antonio and Memphis finished below average. The month ended with a record-breaking July 4th heat dome.
2011 Super Outbreak: 349 Tornadoes, 324 Dead & 4 EF5s in 4 Days
The April 25-28, 2011 super outbreak was the largest and costliest in US history — 207 tornadoes on April 27 alone. Our NOAA SPC analysis of the deaths, the four EF5s, and where they hit.
Dixie Alley: Why the South Is America's Deadliest Tornado Zone
The Southeast gets 40% fewer tornadoes than the Great Plains but more deaths. Our NOAA SPC analysis: Dixie Alley tornadoes kill at nearly 3x the rate — here is why.
The Snowiest Cities and Places in America, Ranked
Syracuse, New York is the snowiest major city in America (~128" NOAA normal). Ranked from 139M NOAA records: the snowiest large cities, the small towns that beat them, the buried mountain extremes (Mt. Baker's world-record 1,140"), and the snowiest states — plus the finding that the snow belt has run below normal for a decade.
Arizona Monsoon 2026: Phoenix Rainfall by the Numbers
Phoenix averages just 2.56 inches of monsoon rain, but it has ranged from 9.57 inches (1984) to 0.15 inches (2023, the driest on record). We pulled 70 years of NOAA data on when Arizona's monsoon starts, how much rain to expect, Tucson vs Phoenix, and the wetter-than-normal 2026 outlook.
Arizona Dust Storms & Haboobs: When They Hit and the Biggest on Record
A haboob is a wall of dust thrown up by thunderstorm winds, and Arizona gets the biggest in the US. The July 5, 2011 Phoenix haboob was ~100 miles wide and up to 6,000 feet tall. A complete reference on dust storm season, why they form, the biggest on record, and how to survive one.
Every State's Hottest June on Record: All 50 States Ranked
California leads at 125.6°F (Death Valley, 2013). But the real story: 21 states set their hottest June day during the 2012 heat wave, and 37 of 50 records have fallen since 2010. All 50 states ranked with decade trends and city warming data from 139M NOAA records.
Rainiest States in America: All 50 States Ranked by Precipitation
Louisiana averages 55.6 inches of rain per year — more than Hawaii at populated stations. We ranked all 50 states by annual precipitation and rainy days using 139M NOAA records, debunked the Seattle myth, and found which states are getting dramatically wetter or drier.
Hottest States and Cities in America, Ranked by 75 Years of Data
Texas is the hottest state by average summer high (93.6°F), but Arizona has 48 days above 100°F per year. We ranked all 50 states and the 10 hottest cities using 139 million NOAA weather records — with humidity and heat index data that shows why Houston feels worse than Phoenix.
El Niño Hurricane Seasons: What 75 Years of Data Actually Show
We analyzed all 25 El Niño Atlantic hurricane seasons since 1950. El Niño cuts named storms by 35% on average — but Hurricane Andrew (Cat 5), Michael (Cat 5), and the devastating 2004 quad-Florida strike all happened during El Niño years. Full table with storm counts, landfalls, and damages.
States Hit by Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Wildfires in the Same Year
Texas was hit by tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires in the same year 28 times since 1980. We cross-referenced three federal databases — 71,800+ tornadoes, 308 hurricane landfalls, and 43 years of wildfire records — to rank every triple-threat state and identify the 12 that have never faced all three.
Kilauea Episode 48: How Wind Patterns Shaped Hawaii’s Record-Breaking Eruption
Kilauea’s 48th eruption episode broke Pu’u’o’o’s all-time record on June 1, 2026. Northeast winds pushed the 25,000-foot ash plume over Hilo, canceling flights. Analysis of wind conditions during the 10 most recent episodes reveals why weather determines eruption impact.
Wildfire Season 2026: What 43 Years of Fire Data Show About El Niño Summers
AccuWeather forecasts 5.5–8 million acres burned in 2026. We cross-referenced 43 years of NIFC wildfire data with every El Niño since 1983. The 4 worst fire seasons? Two were strong El Niño years. Here’s the full analysis.
El Niño Effects by State: What 75 Years of Data Show for All 50 States
We cross-referenced 139M NOAA records with the 8 major El Niño events since 1950 to quantify effects on every US state. Northern Plains warm 3-5°F, Gulf Coast gets 80%+ wetter, Florida tornado count doubles. Find your state.
10 US Cities Where Summer Has Warmed Most Since 1990
We analyzed 139M NOAA records for 100+ cities. Reno summers are 5.6°F hotter since 1990. Phoenix added 20 extra days above 110°F. Las Vegas tripled in population and gained 14 more 110°F+ days. Find your city's warming trend.
Southwest Heat Wave 2026: Phoenix Hit 115°F Before Summer Even Started
Phoenix reached 115°F on May 8 — the earliest such reading in Arizona history. Yale called the 2026 Southwest heat wave one of six most astonishing weather events of the century. Historical comparison from 139M NOAA records.
Every State's Hottest May on Record, Ranked — and How 2026 Changed the List
We analyzed 75 years of NOAA temperature records for all 50 states. May 2026 broke or tied monthly records in at least 18 states. Arizona hit 115°F three weeks earlier than ever before.
Best Golf-Weather Destinations in the US, Ranked by the Numbers
We scored 18 top US golf destinations on 30+ years of temperature, rain, wind and cloud data to rank them by how many months deliver good golf weather. Coastal California wins on season length; the desert owns winter.
Best Winter Golf Destinations in the US, Ranked by the Data
Where should you play golf in winter? We scored 18 US golf destinations on December–February weather using 30+ years of data. The Desert Southwest and South Florida dominate the ranking.
2026 Is on Track to Be the Hottest Year in US History
Every rolling 12-month window since April 2025 has been the warmest on record. March shattered the all-time departure record by 9.35°F. 18 states set new monthly records through April. Plus: Super El Niño, record drought, and what to expect next.
Best Weather States in America: All 50 Ranked by NOAA Data
We scored every state on 4 NOAA climate metrics — sunshine hours, temperature comfort, humidity, and rainy days. California wins at 89/100. Florida is overrated (#8). Alaska is dead last. Full table with all 50 states.
Best Time to Visit Olympic: Three Climate Zones, One Answer
Late July is the only month where all three zones cooperate. The Hoh Rainforest drops to just 2.2" of rain (vs 24.8" in January), Hurricane Ridge is snow-free, and the coast gets 4 rainy days instead of 20. Zone-by-zone NOAA data.
Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree: Heat Safety, Super Bloom & Stargazing
October is the sweet spot — 80°F days, 49°F nights, perfect rock climbing friction. Summer will try to kill you: Pinto Basin hits 110°F+ with ground temps above 150°F. Dual-elevation NOAA data plus super bloom year history.
The Deadliest Tornadoes in American History
The Tri-State Tornado killed 695 in 1925 — with zero warning. We ranked 15 deadliest US tornadoes plus the 5 worst outbreaks using NOAA SPC data. Deaths by decade table shows how warning systems changed everything.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park: Weather by Month
September wins: fog drops by half, crowds thin, and foliage starts on Cadillac. 75 years of NOAA data for Bar Harbor — fog days, frost dates, Cadillac sunrise reservation guide, and 2026 El Niño foliage forecast.
Best Time to Visit Yosemite: Waterfalls, Tioga Road & Smoke Data
May is the best overall month — waterfalls peak, Tioga Road opens, and valley highs hit 72°F. NOAA data from two elevation stations, 12 years of Tioga Road opening dates, and wildfire smoke risk analysis.
Best Time to Visit Sequoia: Giant Trees, Three Elevation Zones
May and September are the sweet spots — 62–72°F at the Giant Forest (6,500 ft) while foothills bake at 96°F. NOAA data from three elevations, Castle Fire impact on sequoias, and road condition history.
May 2026 Super Tornado Outbreak: 206 Tornadoes, 78 Deaths & the First Minnesota EF5
162 tornadoes in 24 hours — the 2nd most ever. 78 dead across 12 states. Rochester’s EF5 was Minnesota’s first and the first US EF5 in 13 years. How NOAA SPC data ranks this against the 2011 and 1974 super outbreaks.
The Worst Wildfires in US History: Deaths, Acres & NOAA Data
The 12 deadliest and largest US wildfires ranked — from the Peshtigo Fire (1,500–2,500 dead) to the 2025 LA fires ($50B+). Plus: wildfire season 2026 forecast (5.5–8M acres), why drought is the real setup, and what NOAA records show about each fire.
The Worst Floods in US History: Deaths, Damage & NOAA Data
The 12 deadliest US floods ranked — from the Galveston Hurricane (8,000+ dead) to Hurricane Helene (234 dead). Plus Johnstown 1889, the Great Flood of 1993, Hurricane Harvey’s 60 inches of rain, and whether floods are getting worse.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley: Month-by-Month Weather Data
November–March is best (65–82°F). July averages 117°F with ~15 days above 120°F. Month-by-month NOAA data from Furnace Creek, wildflower trigger conditions, heat danger zones, and the 134°F record controversy.
The Deadliest Hurricanes in US History: Deaths, Damage & NOAA Data
The 15 deadliest US hurricanes ranked — from Galveston 1900 (8,000+ dead) to Hurricane Helene 2024 (234 dead). Plus the 10 costliest storms (inflation-adjusted), the 8 strongest landfalls, and why Florida has absorbed all 4 Category 5 hits.
The Worst Blizzards in US History: Deaths, Snowfall & NOAA Data
The 12 worst US blizzards ranked — from the Great Blizzard of 1888 (400+ dead, 50" in NYC) to Winter Storm Uri (246–700 dead, $195B damage). Plus the Children’s Blizzard, the Storm of the Century, and whether blizzards are actually getting worse.
4th of July Weather History: Every Independence Day on Record
Thomas Jefferson recorded 76°F on the first one. In 1911, Nashua NH hit 106°F. In 2023, it was the hottest day Earth had ever experienced. City-by-city averages for 40 cities, the deadliest July 4th disasters, and why your Independence Day is 2–4°F hotter than it used to be.
The Worst Heat Waves in US History: Deaths, Records & NOAA Data
The 10 deadliest US heat waves ranked — from the 1901 Eastern heat wave (~9,500 dead) to the 2023 Phoenix crisis (645 dead in one county). Plus: what a heat dome actually is, why nighttime heat kills, and the trend that should worry everyone.
Best Time to Visit Glacier: When the Road Opens, When Smoke Arrives
Mid-July to mid-August is the best window — Going-to-the-Sun Road is open, trails are clear, and smoke hasn’t arrived. 12 years of road opening dates (June 13 to July 13 range) plus wildfire smoke history.
Best Time to Visit Grand Canyon: Three Climate Zones, One Decision
April and October are the best months for most visitors. South Rim (7,000'), North Rim (8,297'), and inner canyon (2,460') have completely different weather — Phantom Ranch hits 120°F while the rim is 84°F.
Best Time to Visit Zion: Flash Flood Risk, Heat Data & Trail Conditions
April and October are the best months — 70s temperatures, low flash flood risk, all trails open. July is the worst: 101°F, monsoon floods, and The Narrows closes constantly. Data from NOAA and NPS records.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone: What 55 Years of Weather Data Shows
September is the best month for most visitors — 45% fewer crowds than July, elk bugling, fall colors, and highs of 63°F. Month-by-month breakdown from NOAA station records with road opening dates and wildlife guides.
El Niño 2026 Forecast: Could Be the Strongest on Record
CPC issues El Niño Advisory — 63% chance of very strong event by winter. ECMWF projects +3°C SST anomaly, potentially strongest since 1877. Region-by-region analysis from 139M NOAA records.
Hurricane Season 2026: Arthur Makes Landfall as El Niño Keeps Atlantic Quiet
TS Arthur made landfall in Texas June 18 — the first Atlantic named storm of 2026. CSU forecasts just 11 storms. CPC issued El Niño Advisory June 11, 63% chance very strong by winter. 2026 name list corrected. State-by-state risk from 170+ years of NOAA data.
Summer 2026 Forecast: El Niño Confirmed, 36 States Above-Normal Heat
El Niño officially confirmed (CPC Advisory June 11). ECMWF: could be strongest ever recorded. 36 states face above-normal heat. CSU lowers hurricane forecast to 11 storms. Updated June 16.
The Hottest Temperatures Ever Recorded in Every US State
All 50 states ranked by their all-time record highs, from Death Valley’s 134°F to Alaska and Hawaii at 100°F. Why 13 records from 1936 still stand, the Death Valley controversy, and what March 2026 tells us about the future.
Tornadoes of 2026: 500+ Tornadoes, 78 Deaths, First Minnesota EF5
500+ tornadoes and 78 deaths in 2026. The May super outbreak produced 162 tornadoes in 24 hours — the 2nd largest single-day count ever. State-by-state data and historical comparison from NOAA SPC records.
The Coldest Temperatures Ever Recorded in Every US State
All 50 states ranked by their all-time record lows, from Alaska’s -80°F at Prospect Creek to Hawaii’s +12°F on Mauna Kea. Plus the record high vs low ratio shift from 1:1 to 6:1.
March 2026 Heat Wave Shattered Records in 14 States
112°F in mid-March. 7,000+ daily records broken. State-by-state breakdown with city departure tables, cascading impacts on wildfire risk and snowpack, and the climate attribution science.
Winter 2025-26 Was the 2nd Warmest on Record
The winter of 2025-26 was the second warmest in 131 years of US records. Nine states broke all-time records. See city-level data from 55+ years of NOAA observations.
European Weather
Records, heatwaves, and climate analysis for the UK and Europe — in Celsius.
The Warmest Places in Europe in Winter, Ranked by Real Data
The warmest place in Europe in winter is the Canary Islands, where Tenerife averages a 22°C (72°F) December high. We ranked every serious winter-sun escape — Madeira, Cyprus, Malta, southern Spain — by average December and January temperature, sea temperature and sunshine hours.
The Hottest Places in Europe, Ranked by Average Summer Heat
The hottest place in Europe is Córdoba in southern Spain, where July and August highs average around 37°C (99°F) and the mercury has hit 47.4°C. We ranked Europe’s hottest cities by average summer temperature — separating the reliably scorching from the one-off records.
The Great Storm of 1987: Britain’s Most Destructive Windstorm
On 15–16 October 1987, hurricane-force winds tore across southern England, killing around 22 people and felling an estimated 15 million trees — the most destructive UK storm in nearly 300 years. Peak gusts (122 mph at Gorleston), the death toll, Michael Fish’s forecast, and how it ranks against every other major UK windstorm.
The Hottest and Coldest Places in the UK
The hottest place in the UK on record is Coningsby, Lincolnshire (40.3°C / 104.5°F); the coldest is Braemar in the Scottish Highlands (-27.2°C / -17°F). Ranked by all-time record and by consistent average — for heat and cold — with the latitude, altitude and frost-hollow reasons behind each.
UK Heatwave 2026: When Will It End, and Every Record That Fell
The UK's third heatwave of 2026 is under way, forecast to peak near 35–36°C in mid-July before breaking down toward the weekend of 18–19 July. The year's hottest day remains a provisional 37.3°C at Santon Downham, Suffolk (26 June). Here's when this spell ends, plus every record 2026 has already broken.
The Hottest Days in UK History, Ranked
The hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK is 40.3°C (104.5°F), set at Coningsby, Lincolnshire on 19 July 2022 — the first time Britain reached 40°C. Every UK heat record, ranked and dated, by nation and by the numbers, including the June 2026 heatwave that broke the June record three days running.
UK Weather Records: Hottest, Coldest, Wettest, Windiest
Britain's weather extremes in one place: the hottest (40.3°C, Coningsby, 2022), coldest (-27.2°C, Braemar), wettest day (341.4mm, Honister Pass), deepest snow, and highest wind gust (173 mph, Cairn Gorm). A structured, °C-first reference for every category of UK weather record.
2026 European Heatwave: Record Temperatures Country-by-Country
A running record of the 2026 European heatwave. Spain peaked at 45.1°C and Germany hit a provisional national-record 41.7°C in late June; a fresh heat dome reloaded over Western Europe in July with the Iberian Peninsula back in the low-to-mid 40s°C. Country-by-country records, the ~9,900 estimated death toll, and how it compares to 2003 and 2022.
The Hottest Temperatures Ever Recorded in Europe (Every Country)
Every European country ranked by its all-time record high — from Sicily's WMO-verified 48.8°C (119.8°F) to the UK's 40.3°C and Ireland's 33.3°C from 1887. Six countries have topped 45°C, all Mediterranean. Plus the June 2026 solstice heatwave breaking records across the continent and why southern Europe keeps climbing.
About Our Analysis
Every trend article on this site is built on NOAA's Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-D) dataset, the official US government weather record. We pair that raw station data with forecasts from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, Storm Prediction Center, and peer-reviewed attribution science to give you context you won't find in a summary.
Looking for data on a specific location? Start with our state records hub or US cities directory. For historical weather on a specific date, use the lookup tool on our homepage.