Georgia Climate – July 2026 Update
Top 5 Cities: Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Savannah
Summary
Georgia endured a scorching July in 2026, as high pressure built a sprawling heat dome across the Deep South. The state recorded its 9th warmest July in 77 years of records, marked by dangerous heat index values exceeding 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40°C) and oppressive overnight humidity that offered little cooling relief. Meanwhile, global climate patterns continue to intensify under a moderate El Niño forecast to peak at Very Strong in Sep-Nov, with elevated temperatures expected to persist into late summer.
This month in numbers
Georgia recorded an average temperature of 27.89°C in July 2026, which sits 1.6°C above the 1961-1990 baseline and ranks as the 9th warmest on record since 1950. Maximum daytime temperatures averaged 33.56°C (19th highest), while minimum temperatures stayed muggy at 22.17°C (+2.0°C anomaly), denying residents typical night-time cooling. Rainfall fell well short of seasonal norms at 96.77 mm, down 38.1 mm from average. Globally, land temperatures reached 15.8°C (+1.6°C above baseline), making it the 3rd warmest July on record worldwide.
What changed
The 3-month period spanning May to July 2026 averaged 25.06°C in Georgia (+1.0°C above baseline), ranking as the 19th warmest such season in 77 years. Although the latest month turned noticeably drier, heavy rain in late spring pushed total 3-month rainfall to 421.89 mm (+70.1 mm anomaly), making it the 13th wettest May-July on record. Nationally, the contiguous United States also experienced elevated summer warmth, averaging 23.01°C in July (+1.5°C anomaly). Globally, the May-July 2026 land temperature averaged 14.34°C (+1.5°C above baseline), standing as the 2nd warmest 3-month period on record worldwide.
What’s driving change?
Georgia's summer heat was anchored by atmospheric ridge patterns that created persistent over the Deep South, trapping warm, humid air across the region. These high-pressure setups were reinforced by broader that allowed stagnant weather systems to stall, driving heat indices well into the triple digits. On a global level, a moderate El Niño continues in the tropical Pacific, tracked at ENSO, though its direct winter teleconnections toward cooler, wetter weather in the Southeast carry a modest historical reliability of roughly 55%.
Looking ahead
Long-range outlooks from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center favour above-normal temperatures across the Southeastern United States through autumn, while the ongoing El Niño is projected with 93% probability to reach Very Strong intensity between September and November.
Generated by Gemini from climate data and web sources
At a Glance
Temperature – Average
Climate Map – USUnited States
Source: NOAA Climate at a Glance — US states & climate regions (tavg, pcp), plus GPCC (Snow, water-equivalent). Anomalies are vs the 1961–1990 baseline. See methodology.
Typical Climate – Georgia
Köppen Cfa · TemperateGeorgia has a temperate climate (Köppen Cfa: Humid subtropical), with distinct warm summers and cool-to-cold winters. July is typically the warmest month, averaging 27.4°C, while January is the coldest at 8.5°C. Annual precipitation averages around 1309mm, spread fairly evenly across the year.
Monthly climate normals (2016–2025) - bar colour and height show average temperature, the shaded area shows average monthly rain, with snow (water-equivalent) shown separately.
Data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (temperature/precipitation; frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)).
Long-Term Trends
Combined Timeline – Georgia
Precipitation, Sunshine, Frost and Snow are converted to standard deviations from their own average so they can share an axis with Temperature.
Data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (temperature/precipitation; frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)).
Heatwave Days – Georgia
Warm Spell Duration Index (WSDI) - days in a 6+ day run above the local 90th-percentile temperature for that time of year.
Data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5-derived). Refreshed roughly 1-2x/year, ~7-8 months behind present.
Year-on-Year Trends
The 4byo Climate Helix – Georgia
Data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (temperature/precipitation; frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)).
Monthly Temperature – Georgia
Background lines show the last 40 years (plus the record year and its opposite, wherever they fall).
Data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (temperature/precipitation; frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)).
Records – Georgia
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)) - Anomalies vs 1901-2000 mean
Shifting Seasons
Warm / cold seasonsKöppen Cfa · TemperateHow spring and autumn have shifted in Georgia. Spring is defined as the date monthly temperatures first rise above the long-term annual mean (17.2°C, from 1950–1979); autumn is the date they fall back below it. Temperature swings 18.7°C peak-to-peak across the year - a classic four-seasons rhythm.
Baseline vs recent monthly temperature climatology. Biggest warming: Feb (+3.3°C).
Data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (temperature/precipitation; frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)).
Climate Systems
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Emissions & Energy
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Data Sources
Data Sources for Georgia
Every figure on this page is sourced from official, openly published climate datasets. Anomalies are calculated against the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) and 1991–2020 (rainfall, sunshine, frost) - see the Methodology & Sources page for the complete dataset list and update calendar.
Statewide monthly temperature and precipitation (nClimDiv).
Frost Days and Heatwave Days (Warm Spell Duration Index), ERA5-derived. World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal.
Monthly snow water-equivalent, Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (DWD).
FAQs
FAQs
How is the climate in Georgia changing?
Georgia is warming in line with the rest of the world. The page above shows the latest monthly temperature anomaly versus the 1961-1990 baseline, the long-term annual trend, and the region's rank in the historical record. The headline panel also shows the long-term trend rate per decade and the warmest and coolest years on file.
What is the climate like in Georgia?
Georgia has a temperate climate (Köppen Cfa: Humid subtropical), with distinct warm summers and cool-to-cold winters. July is typically the warmest month, averaging 27.4°C, while January is the coldest at 8.5°C. Annual precipitation averages around 1309mm, spread fairly evenly across the year.
Where does the climate data for Georgia come from?
Climate data for Georgia comes from NOAA Climate at a Glance (temperature and precipitation), refreshed every month, when the upstream temperature and rainfall data are refreshed.
What is the climate baseline used on this page?
Anomalies on this page are calculated against the 1961-1990 climatological baseline, which is the standard reference period used by the Met Office, NOAA, IPCC and most national climate services. Some panels also show the source-native 1901-2000 (NOAA) or 1991-2020 (WMO) baselines for verification. See Methodology & Sources for the full reference.
Which areas does the Georgia climate data cover?
The Georgia climate profile covers Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon and surrounding areas. Georgia climate data from NOAA Climate at a Glance
How often is the Georgia climate update refreshed?
The Georgia climate update is refreshed monthly, typically a few days after the previous month closes and the upstream provider (Met Office HadUK-Grid, NOAA Climate at a Glance, Copernicus ERA5 or the Global Carbon Project) publishes its update. See the Climate Rankings for cross-region comparisons.
What counts as a Heatwave Day on the Georgia climate page?
Heatwave Days use the Warm Spell Duration Index (WSDI) - the WMO/ETCCDI-standard heatwave measure: days that are part of a run of 6 or more consecutive days above the local 90th-percentile temperature for that calendar day. The 90th-percentile threshold varies by time of year (a hot day in January is judged differently to one in July) but is fixed to the 1961-1990 baseline for every year shown - it does not shift as the climate warms, which is why Heatwave Days trend upward over time.
Does the Georgia climate page include frost and snow data?
Yes. Frost Days (days with a minimum temperature below 0°C, World Bank CCKP) and snow water-equivalent (GPCC) are shown alongside temperature and precipitation, each measured against the 1961-1990 baseline where a like-for-like historical comparison is available.