US South Climate – June 2026 Update
Top States: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas, and Arkansas
This month in numbers
The US South experienced a significantly warmer June, with temperatures averaging +1.51°C above the 1961–1990 average. The three-month anomaly stands at +1.56°C, while the 12-month rolling anomaly is even higher at +2.41°C. Globally, June 2026 was the 2nd warmest June on record for land and ocean temperatures combined.
Hottest & coolest US states
Texas led the region with a 1-month anomaly of +1.86°C, followed closely by Oklahoma US Oklahoma at +1.50°C and Arkansas US Arkansas at +1.37°C. Kansas US Kansas was the coolest state in the group, though still significantly warmer than average at +0.87°C.
What's driving change?
A weak El Niño is currently active, with an Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) of +0.98°C for April-June 2026, and is forecast to continue as a strong El Niño through the end of 2026, with 100% probability for the coming months. This El Niño event is contributing to the warmer temperatures across the US South. The region also experienced a significant heatwave towards the end of June, with temperatures exceeding 37.8°C (100°F) in northern Texas and high heat index values across the Southeast and Southern Plains. This heat was accompanied by severe weather, including destructive wind gusts and widespread flash flooding in parts of the South and Central Plains in mid-June. The ongoing effect is also a contributing factor to the observed warming.
Generated by Gemini from climate data and web sources
At a Glance
Temperature – Average
Climate Map – USA
Source: NOAA Climate at a Glance — US states & climate regions (tavg, pcp). Anomalies are vs the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) or 1991–2020 (rainfall). See methodology.
Hottest & Coolest in US South this Month
1-month anomaly vs 1961–1990 across the 6 members we cover. Click a name to open its profile.
Warmest
- 1.🤠Texas+1.86°C
- 2.🇺🇸Oklahoma+1.50°C
- 3.🇺🇸Arkansas+1.37°C
- 4.🇺🇸Louisiana+1.29°C
- 5.🇺🇸Mississippi+1.06°C
Coolest
- 1.🇺🇸Kansas+0.87°C
- 2.🇺🇸Mississippi+1.06°C
- 3.🇺🇸Louisiana+1.29°C
- 4.🇺🇸Arkansas+1.37°C
- 5.🇺🇸Oklahoma+1.50°C
Member States
Year-on-Year Trends
The 4byo Climate Helix – US South
NOAA Climate at a Glance — regional tavg / pcp (monthly absolutes).
US South – Monthly Temperature – All Years
NOAA Climate at a Glance — regional tavg / pcp (monthly absolutes).
Records – US South
NOAA Climate at a Glance - regional tavg / pcp - Anomalies vs 1901-2000 mean
Shifting Seasons
Warm / cold seasonsHow spring and autumn have shifted in US South. Spring is defined as the date monthly temperatures first rise above the long-term annual mean (16.6°C, from 1950–1979); autumn is the date they fall back below it. Temperature swings 22.5°C peak-to-peak across the year - a classic four-seasons rhythm.
Baseline vs recent monthly temperature climatology. Biggest warming: Mar (+2.6°C).
NOAA Climate at a Glance — regional tavg. Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
Rainfall & Rain Days – Totals
Climate Systems
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Emissions & Energy
Explore
Explore Climate Data
Data Sources
Data Sources for US South
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.
FAQs
FAQs
How is the climate in US South changing?
US South 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.
Where does the climate data for US South come from?
Climate data for US South comes from authoritative climate datasets including national meteorological services and peer-reviewed reanalyses, 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 US South climate data cover?
The US South climate profile covers Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas and surrounding areas. NOAA South - AR, KS, LA, MS, OK, TX
How often is the US South climate update refreshed?
The US South 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.