2026 North American heat wave

2026 North American heat wave
Meteorological history
DateJune 28, 2026 - Ongoing
Heatwave
Air temperatures on July 12 for the region
Overall effects
Fatalities70
Areas affectedUnited States Canada

Starting in late June 2026, North America has been struck by a severe heatwave. Temperature records have been tied or broken in several major cities across the United States and Canada. In Canada, the extreme heat brought large thunderstorms on July 1, Canada Day, which contributed to widespread flooding and thousands of homes being without power. In the United States, the extreme conditions strained public services, including public transit and the power grid, with delays and hundreds of thousands of homes without power for part of the heat wave.

The initial heat dome existed over the eastern United States and eastern Canada from June 28 until July 5; a peak of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on July 4. A second heat dome is forming over the western half of the continent, with heat advisories currently in the southwest United States and Alaska. As of August 5, 2026, there have been 70 deaths attributed to this heatwave.[1]

This heatwave is concurrent with the FIFA World Cup, United States' Independence Day, and Canada Day, resulting in participants having to take shade and hydrate frequently.[2][3]

Background

On June 11 the United States's National Weather Service found El Niño conditions were present, with the possibility of a "Super El Niño" as the year goes on. Climate scientists predict that with these 2026–2027 El El Niño conditions, there would be higher temperatures and more of a likelihood of heat waves.[4][5] El Niño and human-caused climate change both contribute to the increased severity of heat waves.[6]

Canada

Weather forecast for July 2, 2026, showing very high temperatures in Ontario and Quebec
Canada Day storm damage in Ottawa.

Eastern Canada

In Canada, Ontario and Quebec were under "orange" or "yellow" heat warnings, with temperatures expected to reach upwards of 37 °C (99 °F) in some areas.[7][8] Record high temperatures affected much of Ontario and Quebec on July 1, with a humidex of 46 °C (115 °F) recorded in Ottawa. This extreme heat eventually led to large thunderstorms on July 1, and caused widespread flooding and storm damage across Ontario and Quebec, with a record 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain in Ottawa.[9][10] Many Canada Day celebrations in the National Capital Region had to be cancelled.[11] In Quebec, 100,000 homes supplied by Hydro-Québec lost power on July 2. By the next morning, 50,000 homes still were without power.[12] During peak heat of 30 °C (86 °F) with a humidex of 36 °C (97 °F), roughly 44,000 customers lost power in Halifax on July 3. On July 4, the Winterland area in Newfoundland set a daily high 25.7 °C (78.3 °F), surpassing the record set in 2005.[13]

Ontario recorded the highest temperature since the 1936 North American heat wave on July 13. Armstrong set a new all-time high 40.7 °C (105.3 °F). Toronto recorded its hottest day since 2011 on July 14. Late on July 14, a cold front moved through southern Ontario bringing temperatures back down.[14]

Western Canada

With the heat dome in the eastern half of the country over, a second heat dome formed over much of the western United States and Canada.[15] Seven communities set new records while four others had tied temperature records in Manitoba on July 12, the hottest being McCreary which set a new record of 36.5 °C (97.7 °F).[16] On July 22, twelve communities in British Columbia broke daily heat records. Among them was Lytton, which recorded a temperature of 41.2 °C (106.2 °F).[17]

Northern Canada

Daily temperature records were set in Nunavut on July 4. Cambridge Bay broke the record set in 1930, recording 22.1 °C (71.8 °F). Kugaaruk set a temperature record of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).[13]

United States

With an average temperature of 76.89 °F (24.94 °C), July 2026 was the hottest month in American history.[18]

Eastern United States

Weather forecast for July 2, showing extreme high temperatures in many areas of the Eastern United States
Road sign in New Jersey warning of excessive heat during the hottest day in 15 years, July 2, 2026

Nearly half of the United States, 180 million people, were under a "major" or "extreme" heat risk by the National Weather Service starting on June 28.[19][20] Temperatures were expected to reach between 100–110 °F (38–43 °C) in many areas.[21] On June 29, the heat index measured at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago was 101 °F (38 °C).[22] The next night, the low temperature was just 81 °F (27 °C) in La Crosse, Wisconsin, tying the all time record warm low temperature.[23] On July 2, ambient temperatures in New York City exceeded 100 °F (38 °C) for the first time since 2012.[24] Boston also reached 100 °F (38 °C) that day, setting a new daily high temperature record and marking the 29th time the city reached the century mark.[25] Amtrak reduced speeds for trains in the Northeast Corridor due to the extreme heat, and several trains were cancelled as well.[26] SEPTA and NJ Transit also faced delays and cancellations due to the heat.[27] The heat wave resulted in a fatality in Bethel Township, Pennsylvania. Additionally, over 17,000 customers lost electricity in New York City during the heat wave.[28][29] PJM Interconnection, which serves power to 67 million people, got near, if not surpassed, its record for power demand, which was previously set in 2006 at 165 gigawatts. Surging electrical demand as a result of the higher temperatures along with loads from data centers. The US Department of Energy ordered all electrical generators to run at full capacity, even backup units, for the second time this summer.[30]

On July 3, following another day of record heat across New Jersey, including Atlantic City, severe thunderstorms in the state resulted in 250,000 power outages. This resulted in many people being unable to use air conditioning.[31] The storms also amplified issues on NJ Transit from heat, forcing additional delays and suspensions.[32]

The heat wave coincided with the US Independence Day on July 4, causing many celebration plans to be canceled, especially in the eastern portion of the country.[33] Parades were canceled or delayed in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and elsewhere.[33][34]

Due to the heat wave during July 1–4, at least 44 heat-related fatalities were reported: 29 in New Jersey, 7 in Pennsylvania, 4 in Illinois, 3 in New York, and one in Mississippi. In addition, one heat-related death occurred in Mississippi on June 27.[35]

From July 4–6, several rounds of severe thunderstorms moved across the United States that broke up the heat dome. However, those storms resulted in over 1.3 million power outages and four fatalities.[36] The storms that broke the heat wave also possibly led to the largest hailstone in Connecticut state history.[37]

Record heat returned to the region on July 15, when Lehigh Valley International Airport recorded a high temperature of 98 °F (37 °C), tying the daily record. Heating was limited on July 16, however, due to smoke from the 2026 Canadian wildfires.[38]

During Tropical Storm Bertha, southern Louisiana was placed under both a tropical storm warning and extreme heat warning for the first time since 2005.[39] Lake Charles recorded a heat index of 121 °F (49 °C).[40]

A third major July heat dome began to impact the United States late in the month. Around 70 million were under heat advisories.[41] Heat indexes of over 100 °F (38 °C) extended from Minnesota to Mississippi.[42] An all-time record high of 112 °F (44 °C) was reported at the Rapid City Regional Airport, South Dakota, on July 26.[42][43]

Extreme humidity surged into the Northeastern United States on August 7. New York City reached a dew point of 79 °F (26 °C), just one degree shy of the all time record.[44]

Western United States

Following the advent of the heat dome in the eastern United States, a second heat dome started to form across the western and central United States on July 6.[45] Phoenix, Arizona, reached a high of 113 °F (45 °C) on July 6–8.[46] Salt Lake City, Utah, recorded a new all-time high on July 12, reaching 109 °F (43 °C).[47] Also in Utah, the temperature in Deseret reached an all-time high of 111 °F (44 °C). Additionally, local all-time records were set when Miles City, Montana, reached 115 °F (46 °C) and Sheridan, Wyoming, reached 109 °F (43 °C).[48]

The third major heat dome affected the Southwest in late July,[41] with heat indexes of over 100 °F (38 °C) in southern California and Nevada.[42] Temperatures of up to 118–120 °F (48–49 °C) were recorded. Across the west on August 1, there were 65 records that were either tied or set new records.[49] In southern Nevada, emergency daytime cooling stations opened from August 6-11.[50]

In early August, extreme heat in Colorado resulted in 72 hospitalizations.[51]

Highest temperatures recorded

Country Location Temperature Record Date Ref(s).
United States Atlantic City 106 °F (41 °C) All-time (tied) July 4 [52]
United States Washington, D.C. 102 °F (39 °C) Daily July 2 [53]
United States Philadelphia 103 °F (39 °C) Daily (tied) July 2 [53]
United States Boston 101 °F (38 °C) Daily July 2 [53]
United States Wilmington 101 °F (38 °C) Daily July 2 [54]
United States New York City 100 °F (38 °C) Daily (tied) July 2 [55]
United States Toledo 99 °F (37 °C) Daily July 1 [56]
United States Phoenix 113 °F (45 °C) None July 6–8 [46]
United States Salt Lake City 109 °F (43 °C) All-time July 12 [47]
United States Deseret 111 °F (44 °C) All-time July 12 [48]
United States Billings 111 °F (44 °C) All-time* July 12 [57][58][59]
United States Miles City 115 °F (46 °C) All-time July 12 [48]
United States Sheridan 109 °F (43 °C) All-time July 12 [48]
Canada Toronto 36 °C (97 °F) Daily July 1 [60]
Canada Armstrong 40.7 °C (105.3 °F) All-time July 13 [61]
Canada Winterland 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) Daily July 4 [13]
Canada Kugaaruk 27.5 °C (81.5 °F) Daily July 4 [13]
Canada McCreary 36.5 °C (97.7 °F) Daily July 12 [16]
Canada Lytton 41.2 °C (106.2 °F) Daily July 22 [17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kaplan, Sarah (July 26, 2026). "The Post counted 70 deaths from July heat domes. The true toll may not be known". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Heat dome threatens sweltering conditions for World Cup players and fans at East Coast venues". NBC Chicago. June 30, 2026. Archived from the original on July 1, 2026. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  3. ↑ Johnson, Chief Meteorologist Veronica (June 25, 2026). "Great American State Fair forecast: Pleasant start, rainy Saturday, then summer heat roar". WJLA. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  4. ↑ Erdman, Jonathan (June 11, 2026). "El Niño is here, and could become one of strongest, NOAA says". The Weather Channel. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Climate Prediction Center: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion". www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ Freedman, Andrew (July 1, 2026). "Cruel summer: Punishing heat waves hit Europe, US, with a preview of what's to come | CNN". CNN. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  7. ↑ Ghaffar, Nazaneen (June 30, 2026). "Ontario and Quebec Face Heat Warnings as High Temperatures Spread Across Canada". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  8. ↑ "A heat wave is set to scorch much of Canada. Take it seriously, experts say". Global News. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  9. ↑ Huston, Gabrielle (July 1, 2026). "'Extreme weather' wipes out Ottawa's Canada Day activities, including fireworks". CBC News. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  10. ↑ "'Record-Shattering' Heat Dome in Eastern Canada, U.S. 'Virtually Impossible' Without Fossil Fuel-Driven Climate Change". The Energy Mix. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  11. ↑ Press, The Canadian. "Thousands without power in Ontario, Quebec amid heat wave after Canada Day storms". northeastNOW. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  12. ↑ Luft, Amy (July 3, 2026). "More than 35,000 Hydro-Quebec clients still without electricity as heat wave continues". CTVNews. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Niari, Archie (July 5, 2026). "Record heat reaches the Arctic as Canada braces for another hot day". CTV News. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Intense heat backs off a bit in Ontario but temperatures remain high". The Weather Network. July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  15. ↑ Niari, Archie (July 9, 2026). "Heat dome building over U.S. to push scorching temperatures into Canada". CTVNews. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  16. 1 2 Bernhardt, Darren (July 13, 2026). "Multiple temperature records set as Manitoba sizzles in heat wave". CBC News. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  17. 1 2 "Lytton, B.C., hits 41 C, hottest temperature in Canada this year". CBC News. The Canadian Press. July 23, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Contiguous U.S. broke its record for hottest month ever in July, NOAA says". PBS News. August 10, 2026. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  19. ↑ Dolce, Briana; Waxman, Chris (June 29, 2026). "Hottest temperatures in over a decade threatened in parts of eastern US as dangerous heat dome expands and intensifies". CNN. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  20. ↑ Dolce, Chris (June 26, 2026). "A widespread, searing heat dome settles over the US this week". CNN. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  21. ↑ Duster, Chandelis (June 28, 2026). "A 'heat dome' is driving dangerous heat across the U.S. into the July 4 weekend". NPR. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  22. ↑ Ghaffar, Nazaneen; Jones, Judson; McCann, Erin (June 30, 2026). "Fourth of July Heat Wave Forecast: Here Are the Day-by-Day Temperatures". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Extreme heat dome sizzles NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, DC into July Fourth weekend". The Weather Channel. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  24. ↑ "AccuWeather Alert: Dangerous record heat through July 4th". ABC7 New York. February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  25. ↑ "This July 4th could be hottest ever in parts of U.S. Maps show the forecast expected to break records". CBS News. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Amtrak slows train speeds in Northeast Corridor amid extreme heat". WPRI. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Delays, cancelations on SEPTA Regional Rail because of excessive heat". NBC 10 Philadelphia. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  28. ↑ "DC breaks heat record, 17,000 customers without power in NYC area". CNN. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Record-breaking heat disrupts America's 250th birthday celebrations and travel". NBC News. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  30. ↑ Ainger, John; Malik, Naureen S.; Wertz, Joe (July 3, 2026). "US extreme heat broke power demand record on largest grid". Lodinews.com. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  31. ↑ "250K Without Power As Severe Storms Rip Through NJ Friday". Patch. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Severe storms leave downed trees, power outages throughout NY, NJ". PIX. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  33. 1 2 Aboulenein, Ahmed; Layne, Nathan. "Heat wave disrupts Fourth of July events across US, strains power grids". Reuters.
  34. ↑ Gilbert, Mary (July 4, 2026). "Extreme heat wave in its final stretch and could fuel storms during July 4 celebrations". CNN. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  35. ↑ Pulver, Dina (July 8, 2026). "Was that climate change? Scientists ponder a deadly July 4 weekend". USA Today. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Storms, heat and flooding disrupt United States' 250th birthday celebrations". AccuWeather. July 6, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Extreme Heat and Severe Storms Usher in July". Northeast Regional Climate Center. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  38. ↑ "After record heat, wildfire smoke from Canada worsens Lehigh Valley air quality". Lehigh Valley Live. July 16, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  39. ↑ Seewer, John (July 22, 2026). "Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall on southern Louisiana with threatening winds". Associated Press. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Unprecedented overlap of warnings amidst Tropical Storm Bertha". WBRZ. July 22, 2026. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  41. 1 2 Milman, Oliver (July 25, 2026). "Scorching US heatwave to hit 70 million people with third 'heat dome' in month". The Guardian. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  42. 1 2 3 "Sweltering heat wave grips central and southern US for a second straight day". Associated Press. July 26, 2026. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  43. ↑ Larmeu, Ryan (July 25, 2026). "Record Shattering Heat Takes Over KOTA Territory Saturday". kotatv.com. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Tropical humidity grips the East Coast as millions along the I-95 corridor deal with intense summer heat". Fox Weather. August 7, 2026. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  45. ↑ Rice, Doyle. "So the American heat wave is over... Or is it? Depends where you are". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  46. 1 2 "Temperatures forecast to reach up to 117 degrees in western heat wave - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. July 9, 2026. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  47. 1 2 Bittan, Ryan (July 12, 2026). "Salt Lake City hits 109 degrees, setting new all-time high temperature record". ABC4. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  48. 1 2 3 4 "Heat Dome Broils the Western U.S." NASA Earth Observatory. July 12, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  49. ↑ Vawter, Hayley; Stephens, Olivia (July 29, 2026). "Life-threatening heat dome starts to ease up after baking the West with triple-digit temperatures". FOX Weather. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  50. ↑ Defran, Brittany (August 6, 2026). "Las Vegas activates cooling stations for Extreme August Heat Wave". August 9, 2026.
  51. ↑ "As extreme heat spreads to the Midwest, the East Coast remains hot and sticky". ABC News. August 9, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  52. ↑ "4th of July forecast: Extreme heat continues, evening storms could threaten fireworks". Fox 29 Philadelphia. July 4, 2026. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  53. 1 2 3 Waxman, Briana; Gilbert, Mary; Smith, Dakota; Petersen, Kate (July 2, 2026). "Heat records broken from DC to Boston, more to come Friday | CNN". CNN. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  54. ↑ Kelly, Bill; Gilmore, Grant; Bilo, Kate (July 2, 2026). "Temps reach 100 in Philadelphia region as dangerous heat wave continues today. Here's the weather forecast". CBS News Philadelphia. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  55. ↑ Lewis, Justin; Guajardo, Adi; Williams, Doug (July 2, 2026). "NYC ties record high on Day 2 of expected heat wave". CBS News. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  56. ↑ "Cleveland, Toledo set high heat records Wednesday". Spectrum News 1. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  57. 1 2 Zee, Ginger. "7-13-26 All-time record heat on a sizzling Sunday! Salt Lake City 109°, Pocatello, Idaho 103°, Billings, Montana 111°! Now that heat slides east:". X. ABC News (United States). Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  58. 1 2 Martz, Chris. "Billings, MT reached 112°F on July 31, 1901. Miles City was 111°F that day, so it's valid. The 111°F reading in Billings on July 12th (Sunday) was therefore not an "all-time" high temperature record". X. CFACT. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  59. 1 2 "Climatological data, Montana 1901-07-01 ⇒ 1901-07-31". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  60. ↑ "55,000 hydro clients in Quebec, Ontario without power after severe storms - Montreal | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  61. ↑ "It's going to feel like 45 in these cities as Environment Canada issues extreme heat warnings". CTV News. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
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