Extreme Heat Warnings, Extreme Heat Watches, and Heat Advisories are in effect across 31 U.S. states after the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a series of heat alerts on June 29, 2026. Peak heat index values are forecast to reach 46°C (115°F), with dangerous heat and humidity expected to persist into early July across parts of the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and central United States.
A strengthening upper-level ridge is forecast to intensify a prolonged and dangerous heat wave across much of the central and eastern United States through at least July 10, 2026, with temperatures in the low to upper 30s°C (90s to lower 100s°F) and heat index values reaching 38–43°C (100–110°F), locally up to 46°C (115°F).
At least three firefighters were reported dead while two others were injured amid suppression efforts for Knowles and Gore fires along the Utah-Colorado border on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The fires are believed to have been started by lightning strike on Friday and Saturday.
Canyon County, in southwest Idaho’s Treasure Valley west of Boise, declared a countywide disaster emergency on June 27, 2026, after severe thunderstorms moved through the Nampa–Caldwell area the previous evening, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and hail. Preliminary National Weather Service (NWS) observations recorded gusts of 89 km/h (55 mph) at Boise Airport and 85 km/h (53 mph) at Caldwell Airport.
France has recorded around 1 000 excess deaths since June 24, 2026 as an exceptional heatwave swept across the country, with 85% of the deaths involving people aged 65 and older, according to preliminary figures released by France’s Public Health Agency (SPF). The agency warned the data remain preliminary and are expected to increase as additional mortality reports are received.
At least four fatalities were reported in Madison and Jackson counties as deadly flash floods swept across Kentucky on June 27, 2026. Governor Andy Beshear declared a statewide emergency as forecasts called for additional heavy rain and emergency crews responded to rescues, flooded homes, and damaged infrastructure. Five counties had also declared local States of Emergency.
Germany provisionally recorded its highest air temperature on record on June 26, 2026 as an exceptional late-June heatwave continued to rewrite temperature records across Europe, prompting widespread red heat warnings, disrupting public life and raising concerns over growing impacts on health, infrastructure and ecosystems.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 struck the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan at 13:34 UTC (18:04 local time) on June 27, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 199 km (123.7 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Watches have been issued across parts of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota ahead of intensifying heatwave beginning Sunday, June 28, 2026. Heat index values are forecast to exceed 38°C (100°F) across much of the region, with some areas expected to reach 41 to 43°C (105 to 110°F) through Tuesday or Thursday, depending on location.
New activity/unrest was reported for 5 volcanoes from June 18-24, 2026. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 27 volcanoes.
