Ventura County, Calif., set a new heat benchmark, recording its warmest August ever.
That latest peak follows another one from December through March, when the county also logged its hottest winter on record.
Here's what to know
According to the Ventura County Star, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration records dating back more than a century show that no August in recorded history in Ventura County has been hotter. The county's average temperature for the month was 75.2 degrees Fahrenheit, which was more than six degrees above normal.
At Oxnard and Camarillo — the county's only two National Weather Service sites with long-term historical temperature tracking — preliminary data showed new daily highs on Sept. 9. Camarillo reached 99 degrees, and Oxnard hit 98, topping records set in 2022.
Unusually high humidity was part of the pattern, too. Remnants of Hurricane Marie were one factor, and an extreme marine heatwave that had already been underway for months in some places also added to the moisture in the air.
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, told the Star, "The heat really didn't kick in until recently, but the humidity has really been around this whole summer."
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Statewide, California's hottest month averaged 79 degrees.
More background
NOAA data cited by the Star show that Ventura County's warmest winter on record ran from December through March, when the four-month average temperature was 55.3 degrees Fahrenheit. The paper also noted that August and September have historically been the region's hottest months and the time of year with the most heatwaves.
Emerging El Niño conditions were adding to ocean warmth already present off the area. That can keep humidity higher and may mean a wet winter in Southern California.
What can be done?
Improved forecasting and public alerts can help communities prepare for dangerous heat before it peaks. Clear warnings, cooling centers, workplace protections, and stronger grid planning all become more important as heat records are broken more frequently.
Where can I learn more?
These articles look at major heat waves and temperature records elsewhere.
• In 2024, Western U.S. cities endured a history-making heat wave that forecasters warned will become more common.
• The same year, Sydney saw its hottest August day in more than two decades.
• In 2025, officials across New England warned residents as temperatures neared all-time highs across the region.
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