The globe experienced its second-warmest June on record in 2026, driven by global ocean surface temperatures that reached an all-time high for the month, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). This warming trend contributed to a year-to-date global surface temperature that ranks as the third highest on record.
Global Temperature Extremes
According to a report from NCEI released July 8, 2026, global surface temperatures in June were 1.96°F (1.09°C) above the 20th-century average. This marks the 50th consecutive June where temperatures remained above the 20th-century average, a streak dating back to 1976. The month was second only to 2024 in terms of global warmth.
Climate data indicates that all 10 of the warmest Junes in the 48-year record from 1850 to 2026 have occurred since 2015. While land temperatures were the fourth highest on record for the month, global ocean temperatures reached their highest level ever recorded for June.
Regional temperature departures were widespread. Notable warming of +3.6°F (2.0°C) or higher was observed across Europe, eastern Australia, parts of Africa, the Arctic, the Weddell Sea, and a vast area of Siberia extending into south-central Asia. Record-high June temperatures were also reported across the eastern and central tropical Pacific Ocean, as well as portions of Canada, northern South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and parts of every major ocean basin.
Consistent Warming Trends
The warming trend in June followed a similar pattern in May, which was also the second-warmest May on record for the globe, trailing only 2024. NCEI reported that May 2026 temperatures were 1.93°F (1.07°C) above the 20th-century average.
Similar to the June data, May marked the 50th consecutive month with a global temperature departure above the 20th-century average. During May, record-high temperatures were recorded in the central Pacific, southern Atlantic, and southern Indian Oceans, along with localized land areas in Africa and eastern Asia.
In May, the Northern Hemisphere experienced its fifth-warmest meteorological spring, while the Southern Hemisphere tied with 2024 for its warmest meteorological autumn. The cumulative surface temperature from March through May 2026 ranked as the third highest in NOAA's 177-year record.
Declining Sea Ice Extent
Sea ice extent reached critical lows during both May and June. In June 2026, global sea ice extent was the fourth smallest in the 48-year record, covering 8.78 million square miles. This figure is 780,000 square miles below the 1991–2020 average.
The Arctic recorded its third-lowest June extent on record, falling 340,000 square miles below average. The Antarctic sea ice extent was 440,000 square miles below average, marking the sixth-smallest June extent.
This followed a period of sustained low ice levels in the spring. In May 2026, the Arctic recorded its second-smallest May extent on record for a third consecutive month. Global sea ice in May was the fourth smallest in the 48-year record, covering 8.29 million square miles.
Tropical Cyclone Activity
Tropical cyclone activity was above average globally in June, with seven named storms. Two of these systems reached tropical cyclone strength, including one that intensified into a major tropical cyclone. The West Pacific saw the month's most significant system, Super Typhoon Mekkhala, which reached Category 4-equivalent strength and brought heavy rain, winds, and storm surge to the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan.
In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Arthur formed off the Texas coast, bringing heavy rain and wind to the U.S. Gulf Coast and Southeast. In the East Pacific, Tropical Storms Boris and Cristina developed near Mexico and Central America, respectively.
This follows a quieter May, which NCEI reported had below-average activity with only two named storms, both from the West Pacific. One of those, Typhoon Jangmi, reached Category-1 equivalent strength.
U.S. Weather Extremes
In the United States, June 2026 was characterized by a wet and stormy pattern across the South and Midwest. The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) was 70.6°F, which is 2.2°F above the 20th-century average.
Severe weather was particularly intense in the Midwest. According to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center, there were 374 preliminary tornado reports in June, with historic activity in several states. Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri each set new June records for tornado reports, with Illinois recording 91, Indiana 69, and Missouri 32.
Precipitation patterns showed significant contrast. While the Midwest and Great Lakes saw above-average rainfall, the West and Southwest experienced a hot and dry year-to-date. The West and Southwest climate regions recorded their warmest January–June period on record, receiving less than 70 percent of their average precipitation for the year so far.
Drought and Precipitation Patterns
Drought and precipitation extremes were notable across the country. As of the June 30 U.S. Drought Monitor report, approximately 47.8% of the CONUS was in drought, a decrease of about 10.5% since the start of the month. Drought persisted across much of the Northwest, Southwest, Great Basin, and Rockies, while new drought developed in Puerto Rico.
In contrast, Hawai'i experienced record-breaking wetness. Following its wettest June since 1997, the state's year-to-date precipitation reached a record 54.62 inches, which is more than two feet above normal.
Other regional highlights included Rhode Island recording its third-warmest June on record, with daytime highs averaging 80.7°F—the first June since 1943 to see an average high above 80°F. In the West, states including Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada received only about half to two-thirds of their average precipitation for the year to date.
