July 2026 – Warm and Wet Across Delaware

July Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that the statewide average temperature in July was 78.8^o F, which was 1.4^o F above the 1991-2020 average value of 77.4^o F (Figure 1).  July 2026 was tied with July 2024 as the 14^th warmest July since observations began in 1895.  At the Wilmington, Dover, and Georgetown Airports (Figures 2a, b, c), the month began with very warm temperatures featuring highs above 100^o F at each station on the 3^rd and 4^th.  A second heatwave gripped the state from the 15^th through the 18^th as all three stations reached daily high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s. 

July Precipitation

Delaware’s statewide precipitation for July 2026 averaged 6.66 inches, 2.22 inches above the 1991-2020 average of 4.44 inches (Figure 3).  July 2026 was the 15^th wettest July since observations began in 1895.  July was also the first month since July 2025 with higher-than-normal precipitation across the State.

Statewide Spatial Anomalies

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) show that temperatures varied depending upon location across the State, with many stations seeing positive departures of around 1^o F (Figure 4).  Precipitation across the State was highly variable due to thunderstorm rainfall (Figure 5).  Many stations saw positive precipitation anomalies with some departures exceeding 3 inches for the month.

National Anomalies

Temperatures were above or near normal across all of the United States (Figure 6).  The largest positive temperature anomalies were found across portions of Wyoming and Montana.  Precipitation varied greatly across the country due to the convective nature of summer season rainfall (Figure 7).  The Gulf Coast saw very dry conditions, while the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England saw much above normal precipitation.   

Global Anomalies

July 2026 was tied with July 2024 as the warmest July on record for the globe since 1850.  Global temperatures were 2.12^o F above the 1901-2000 mean.  Of particular note this month were the very warm temperatures across most of North America, Western Europe, and Western Asia (Figure 8).

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