2026 North American heat wave

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2026 North American heat wave
TypeHeatwave
AreasUnited States

Canada

Start dateJune 28, 2026
End dateOngoing

Starting in late June 2026, North America has been struck by an extreme heatwave, with temperature records expected to be broken in the coming days.[1] Nearly half of the United States, 180 million people, are currently under a "major" or "extreme" heat risk by the National Weather Service.[2] Temperatures are expected to reach between 100–110 °F (38–43 °C) in many areas.[3] 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.[4][5]

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.[6][7]

Background

On June 11 the United States 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 El Niño conditions, there would be higher temperatures and more of a likelihood of heat waves.[8][9] El Niño and human-caused climate change both contribute to the increased severity of heat waves.[10]

Canada

Canada Day storm damage in Ottawa.

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.[11][12] Many Canada Day celebrations in the National Capital Region had to be cancelled.[13] 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.[14]

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

On Monday, June 29, the heat index measured at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois was 101 °F (38 °C).[15] The next night, the low temperature was just 81 °F (27 °C) in La Crosse, Wisconsin, tying the all time record warm low temperature.[16] On July 2, ambient temperatures in New York City exceeded 100 °F (38 °C) for the first time since 2012.[17] 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.[18] Amtrak reduced speeds for trains in the Northeast Corridor due to the extreme heat, and several trains were cancelled as well.[19] SEPTA and NJ Transit also faced delays and cancellations due to the heat.[20] 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.[21][22] 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.[23]

The heat wave coincided with the US Independence Day on 4 July, causing many celebration plans to be canceled, especially in the eastern portion of the country.[24] Parades were canceled or delayed in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and elsewhere.[25][24]

Highest temperatures recorded

Country Location Temperature Record Date Ref(s).
United States Washington, D.C. 102 °F (39 °C) Daily July 2 [26]
United States Philadelphia 103 °F (39 °C) Daily (tied) July 2 [26]
United States Boston 101 °F (38 °C) Daily July 2 [26]
Canada Toronto 36 °C (97 °F) Daily July 1 [27]

See also

References

  1. Dolce, Chris (June 26, 2026). "A widespread, searing heat dome settles over the US this week". CNN. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. "A heat wave is set to scorch much of Canada. Take it seriously, experts say". Global News. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  6. "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.
  7. 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.
  8. Erdman, Jonathan (June 11, 2026). "El Niño is here, and could become one of strongest, NOAA says". The Weather Channel. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  9. "Climate Prediction Center: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion". www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  10. 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.
  11. Huston, Gabrielle (July 1, 2026). "'Extreme weather' wipes out Ottawa's Canada Day activities, including fireworks". CBC News. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  12. "'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.
  13. Press, The Canadian. "Thousands without power in Ontario, Quebec amid heat wave after Canada Day storms". northeastNOW. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  14. Luft, Amy (July 3, 2026). "More than 35,000 Hydro-Quebec clients still without electricity as heat wave continues". CTVNews. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  15. 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.
  16. "Extreme heat dome sizzles NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, DC into July Fourth weekend". The Weather Channel. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  17. "AccuWeather Alert: Dangerous record heat through July 4th". ABC7 New York. February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  18. "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.
  19. "Amtrak slows train speeds in Northeast Corridor amid extreme heat". WPRI. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  20. "Delays, cancelations on SEPTA Regional Rail because of excessive heat". NBC 10 Philadelphia. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  21. "DC breaks heat record, 17,000 customers without power in NYC area". CNN. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  22. "Record-breaking heat disrupts America's 250th birthday celebrations and travel". NBC News. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  23. 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.
  24. Aboulenein, Ahmed; Layne, Nathan. "Heat wave disrupts Fourth of July events across US, strains power grids". Reuters.
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. "55,000 hydro clients in Quebec, Ontario without power after severe storms - Montreal | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved July 3, 2026.