Billings, Montana, reached 43.9°C (111°F) and Salt Lake City, Utah, reached 42.8°C (109°F) on Sunday, July 12, 2026, setting all-time temperature records as Extreme Heat Warnings remained in effect across parts of the western and northern United States into Tuesday.
A prolonged heatwave continued across France on Monday, July 13, with 37 departments under red heatwave vigilance and another 39 under orange vigilance. Exceptionally warm nights, increasingly dry soils and a nationwide wildfire danger are expected to persist as the highest temperatures shift toward central and eastern parts of the country.
Dangerous and potentially record-breaking heat is forecast to peak through July 14, 2026, across the western and north-central United States. Billings, Montana, already shattered its all-time temperature record on July 12, while Salt Lake City, Utah, tied for its second-highest reading ever, just short of its own all-time mark. More locations could still challenge records as the heat continues into Tuesday. Very warm nights are adding to the danger by increasing heat stress over several consecutive days.
The first widespread and significant heat wave of the summer is forecast to develop across the Intermountain West and Plains beginning Friday, July 10, 2026. Widespread temperatures above 38°C (100°F) are forecast, with isolated highs of up to 43°C (110°F). The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) forecasts widespread Major (Level 3) to locally Extreme (Level 4) HeatRisk between Friday and Wednesday, July 10 and 15.
Western Europe recorded its warmest June on record in 2026, with an average temperature of 20.74°C (69.3°F), 3.06°C (5.51°F) above the 1991–2020 average, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The record-breaking month coincided with widespread heatwaves across western and central Europe that set national and local temperature records, while June ranked as the second-warmest globally in the ERA5 dataset.
Record-breaking water temperatures at the Potomac River on July 4, 2026, are being linked to a localized fish kill in Maryland. The water temperatures reached a record high of 34.7°C (94.4°F) near Little Falls amid a record-breaking heatwave. Significant fish mortality was reported along a stretch of the river between White’s Ferry and Violette’s Lock soon after.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued multiple Extreme Heat Watches across Montana, northern Wyoming, and Utah through Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, 2026. Temperatures above 38°C (100°F) are forecast across the watch areas. Some areas could see potentially record breaking heat with isolated highs of up to 43°C (110°F) being forecast.
Health officials in New Jersey have increased the number of suspected heat-related deaths associated with last week’s extreme heat wave to 29, on Monday, July 6, 2026. A prolonged heat wave brought temperatures above 38°C (100°F) and dangerous heat index values approaching 43°C (110°F) across parts of the state over the Independence Day weekend. Most fatalities are yet to be certified as heat-related deaths by the forensics department, hence the toll remains preliminary.
LaGuardia Airport recorded an official temperature of 34.4°C (94°F) around midnight into July 4, 2026, establishing the station’s highest midnight temperature on record as an intense heat wave affected New York City and much of the northeastern United States. According to National Weather Service observations, the reading surpassed the previous midnight record of 33.9°C (93°F) set on July 18, 2013. The National Weather Service maintained Extreme Heat Warnings across much of the New York metropolitan area as dangerous heat persisted through the overnight hours.
A dangerous heat wave continued to intensify across much of the central and eastern United States on Friday, July 3, 2026. Numerous daily temperature records have already broken and more are expected through the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of widespread Major to Extreme HeatRisk and heat index values reaching 46°C (115°F).
