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When Is the Hottest Day of the Year?

The hottest day of the year, thermometer, hot weather
Written By: James J. Garriss Weather Contributor
Almanac Guide to Herbs

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 in the Southern Plains, the hottest part of the summer will hit you in the next few weeks.
  • If you are on the West Coast, you will have to wait a couple of months.
A map of NOAA maximum temperature normals in various U.S. regions.
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.

A stormy sky above a Southwestern landscape that includes cacti.
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.

Graphic image of the cool Pacific current off the West Coast meeting the warm land and creating fog.
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.

Heat
About The Author
James J. Garriss

James J. Garriss

Weather Contributor

With an academic background in international business, James is a writer, editor and researcher for Browning Media LLC, helping to present accurate climatological projections for a myriad of U.S. and ...
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Comments

<span>Gd</span> Sun, 07/06/2025 - 08:10
In South Georgia in the Moultrie area it is HOT and HUMID. Perfect temperatures for mosquitoes at night and gnats during the day. Miserable conditions. But it’s great to be alive!
<span>Tom Chase</span> Mon, 07/08/2024 - 09:36
In lower Alabama between Mobile and Pensacola F, 20 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. I have three temp/humidity gages, and they have similar readings within a degree, so fairly accurate. I have the temp & Hum reading to determine the Heat Index, the real air feelings. The Internet has many web sites for info. Pray for winter. July 7, 2024 Readings: Temp 115, Humidity 80%, no Heat Index as the HI was off the chart. 2nd readings at 3:30pm: Temp 122, Humidity 26% Heat Index 145.4 degs. For interest a web page to determine the Heat Index, just enter the Temp and Humidity and the HI answer will appear, it does the calculation. The site: Meteorological Conversions and Calculations https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/html/heatindex.shtml If interested in the formula: HI = -42.379 + 2.04901523T + 10.14333127R - 0.22475541TR - 6.83783x10-3T2 - 5.481717x10-2R2 + 1.22874x10-3T2R + 8.5282x10-4TR2 - 1.99x10-6T2R2 where T = ambient dry bulb temperature (°F) R = relative humidity (integer percentage)
<span>Lj</span> Sun, 07/19/2026 - 07:27
And , ugh ………. , Yeah !
<span>Dr Eric Aschendorf</span> Thu, 07/21/2022 - 09:51
"When is the Hottest Day of the Year?" When the temperature for any one day exceeds the temperature of all of the other days of the year!
<span>Shannon J.</span> Mon, 07/08/2024 - 16:20
OK, wise guy! :D
<span>Tully Crabtree</span> Sun, 07/12/2026 - 08:23
Wise guys wise guys have you have heard? Mama gonna but me a mockingbird!
<span>Wanda R.</span> Sat, 07/24/2021 - 11:16
The heat wave has been pretty steady here in Wyoming, since the middle of June. We started off cool and wet then a huge change to steady heat. We have hit 115* , with the weather channel saying we were, really 102* Generally, when the weather channel says what it will be, we are always 10* hotter or cooler! This week we are now edging up into the low 100's. So we will see! Extreme drought in our area and a real challenge to have a garden. Stay cool everyone!
<span>Jean Garren</span> Sun, 07/19/2026 - 09:13
Ditto here in Southern Colorado along the Front Range. We've not yet hit your high where I live, but our Big Heats started in MAY and show no sign of letting up, and no good rain appeareth on the horizon. Extreme to Severe drought... Yes indeedy, been a terrible year for gardens. The Iris Society even canceled it annual show for want of blooms. Stay cool everyone indeed!
<span>Kathy Di</span> Sat, 07/24/2021 - 10:34
The NOAA map is pretty accurate for our area this year. We concluded our third heatwave (3+ days of 90 degree temps in a row) on July 17th. The third heatwave was 6 days long. 90 degree temps are expected next week as well. We are VERY thankful we don't hit the 100+ temps in our area very often. Unfortunately, rainfall is delegated to severe thunderstorm watches, with hit or miss precipitation. We continue to water the gardens. Hey . . . it's summer in S.E. Pennsylvania!
<span>Piglet</span> Sat, 07/24/2021 - 09:34
Here have been many 100+F days since June this summer. Now, a long string of days in the low 90’s. We’re in the Sierra foothills at 1600’ elevation. It’s hot!