![If things go as “normal,” most U.S. locations will have their hottest day of the year by the end of July](/sites/default/files/WarmestDayoftheYear_NA_480.jpg)
Based on observations from 1991-2020, much of the United States has its hottest day of the year by the end of July. Historically speaking, where is the warmest day likely still to come?
![Map image for Central Pacific hurricane party: three’s company](/sites/default/files/styles/width_320/public/1760v1_20150831-PACstorms_480.jpg?itok=YmBQm-MH)
Central Pacific hurricane party: three’s company
September 3, 2015
![Risk of very large fires could increase sixfold by mid-century in the US](/sites/default/files/FutureVeryLargeFires_480.jpg)
Climate change is expected to intensify fire-friendly weather conditions across the US and to lengthen the fire season.
![Map image for Late July’s stupefying heat indexes in southwest Iran](/sites/default/files/styles/width_320/public/IranHeatWave_SST_20150727_20150802_480.png?itok=KKOwioER)
Late July’s stupefying heat indexes in southwest Iran
August 14, 2015
![Climate Challenge: What was the water level in Lake Mead at the end of July?](/sites/default/files/lakemead_rotator480.jpg)
Last July, Lake Mead hit a new record low. How is the lake handling the summer so far?
![Climate Challenge: How bad was the U.S. drought in June 2015?](/sites/default/files/USdroughtmonitor-2015-06-30_480_alt1.png)
The June round of our “Climate Challenge” social media game pitted experts against players to answer the following question: What percent area of the United States will be in severe drought or worse in June 2015?
![Climate & the crowds at national parks](/sites/default/files/mather_point_480.jpg)
Will global warming cause tourism at U.S. National Parks to warm up or overheat?
![2015: Halfway over and hot](/sites/default/files/temprank201501-201506_480.png)
Global temperatures so far this year are record-warm. And aside from eastern North America, we were all in it together.
![2014 State of the Climate: Fires](/sites/default/files/BiomassBurning_2014_480.jpg)
Globally, carbon emissions from fires were near the long-term average in 2014, but North America's emissions were 70% higher than average.
![2014 State of the Climate: Soil Moisture](/sites/default/files/SoilMoisture_2014_480.jpg)
While slightly wetter than 2013, the global average soil moisture in 2014 was near-normal.