A small town of 5,200 residents located along Route 66 on the California border now holds a new scorching record: the highest monthly average temperature in the country.

 

In July, Needles recorded an average temperature of 103.2 degrees, surpassing Phoenix's previous record of 102.7 degrees last July, according to the Arizona State Climate Office. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the department conceded the unfortunate title to Needles.

 

The post also welcomed two other cities, Palm Springs and Blythe, to the club of cities with average temperatures of at least three digits for an entire month. "Welcome?" the post read.

 

Jan Jernigan, the mayor of Needles, was not surprised by the city's achievement, saying, "We probably did [beat the record], quite easily."

 

The heat is a part of the town's culture. When the City Council hosts meetings, it provides guests with a basket of Red Hots candy and a sign that reads, "Needles is Red Hot," Jernigan said.

 

Phoenix is happy to relinquish the record to Needles, now the hottest monthly U.S. city with 103.2°F (preliminary avg July temp).

Arizona welcomes a few new members to the 100°F+ monthly temp club: Palm Springs (100.0°F) and Blythe (100.7°F). Welcome?

This is the 2nd time… pic.twitter.com/0IxUByqtWk

— AZ State Climate (@AZStateClimate) August 1, 2024

 

To avoid the worst of the heat, Needles has learned to schedule city events early in the morning. For example, a food distribution event began around 5 a.m. and ended by 8 a.m. before temperatures became oppressive.

 

The town, also known for its mention in the "Peanuts" comics as the home of Snoopy's brother Spike, continues to attract tourists to its Colorado River beaches. The city has invested $8.4 million in infrastructure improvements, including park upgrades.

 

In late June, the intense heat contributed to an unusual brush fire near Needles that burned 70 acres and crossed into Arizona, burning an additional 143 acres. Infrastructure upgrades, including beach cleanups, are aimed at reducing the risk of future wildfires, particularly during a fire-prone summer. This year's hot weather has led to fires burning 30 times more acres statewide compared to last year.

 

To combat the heat, the city operates a senior center that provides water and a cool place for people to gather. It is equipped with a generator and can be opened during emergencies if power outages put residents at risk of overheating.