October 2026 Ranks 14th-Warmest on Record
Climate Central analysis finds 33 cities recorded one of their five hottest Octobers on record.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Severe Weather
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Climate Central reported that October 2026 was the 14th-warmest October on record, with 33 cities experiencing one of their top five hottest Octobers. Across 192 U.S. cities, the average October temperature was 3.5 degrees above normal.
Why it matters
The analysis links elevated October temperatures to climate change using the Climate Shift Index, which quantifies its impact on daily temperatures. Warming is widespread, with 193 of 194 cities warming on average since 1970.
The analysis covers 192 U.S. cities and reports an average October temperature 3.5 degrees above normal. Only five of 188 studied cities recorded cooler-than-normal October temperatures, while the Midwest ran more than seven degrees warmer than normal.
The players
Climate Central
Climate Central is a nonprofit climate science and journalism organization that produced this city-level October temperature analysis.
The details
Climate Central analyzed October temperatures across cities using the Climate Shift Index. All 18 Texas cities analyzed were warmer than normal, with El Paso running the hottest in the state.
Timeline
- 1970: Long-term average temperature trend comparison begins.
- October 2026: Month ranks as the 14th-warmest October on record.
- November 5, 2026: Climate Central publishes the report.
Seasonal Patterns
The October ranking is measured against long-term averages since 1970, when 193 of 194 cities have warmed. Using the Climate Shift Index, the results place this month within a documented pattern of rising city temperatures across the country.
Residents in hotter-than-normal areas, including Texas and the Midwest, may face elevated heat during autumn months. Checking local heat guidance and staying hydrated during warm spells can help reduce risk.
The takeaway
Monthly temperature rankings can look modest on their own, but the consistent warming across nearly every studied city shows a broad pattern rather than an isolated anomaly. Tracking local readings against long-term averages helps put seasonal heat in context.
Further reading
Explore more on Severe Weather to see how temperature trends fit into broader seasonal patterns across the country.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXAN.
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