When is the Hottest Day of the Year?

The hottest day of the year, thermometer, hot weather
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It's Hot, Hot, Hot this Summer! See Average Temperatures for Your Region

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When is the hottest time of the year? You might expect summer temperatures to peak in July; however, this is not typical for all regions of the United States. Take a look at your neck of the woods to learn what the hottest day of the year is!

When is the Hottest Month of the Year?

July is the hottest month of the year for most of the country. Many regions in the United States—from the Rockies to the East Coast—follow this pattern.

However, this isn’t true for all regions. See the map below.

  • While Northern regions usually reach their peak temperatures in July, oceans continue to warm until September. Warm, wet Gulf air continues to warm Texas, Louisiana, and Florida through August.
  • If you live in most of the West or the Southern Plains, it will hit you in the next few weeks.
  • And, if you are on the West Coast, you will have to wait a couple of months.
warmest day of the year, noaa maximum temperature normals
Summer heat peaks in different times of the year. 
Source NOAA.

Then, there’s the Desert Southwest, which usually peaks in June. The welcome monsoon rains arrive in July, and sheltering clouds cool the landscape.

monsoon rains
Monsoon rains cool Southwestern summers through July and August. 
Source: Wikipedia

Finally, there’s California—the currents along the West Coast flow from Alaska. When the chill Pacific air hits the warm land, it creates a cooling fog. Summertime can be quite chilly. As a famous quote falsely attributed to Mark Twain goes, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”

It isn’t until September, when northern oceans reach their peak, that most of the West Coast finally warms up.

The cool Pacific current off the West Coast creates a chilling fog for most of the summer. Source: NOAA

Of course, every year is different! How’s the summer temperature in your area this year? Please comment below.

About The Author

James J. Garriss

With an academic background in international business, James is a writer, editor and researcher for Browning Media LLC, helping to present accurate climatological projections. Read More from James J. Garriss

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