The contiguous United States experiences its hottest month on record, according to new analysis by NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). NOAA reports that temperatures averaged 76.9 degrees Fahrenheit across the lower 48 states, breaking the prior record for the warmest month.
NOAA attributes the temperature pattern to widespread above-average warmth that covers much of the country during the month in question. Reporting from outlets including CBS News and the Winnipeg Free Press focuses on the record-setting nationwide average and the agency’s role in compiling and verifying the climate data. Both sources present the NOAA findings as part of a broader long-term trend of rising temperatures, while concentrating on this specific record for the contiguous U.S.
