Heatwaves, Storms to Dominate Summer 2026 Forecast
Summer 2026 is shaping up to be hotter and more volatile across the U.S., with El Niño developing and strengthening. Widespread heat is expected coast to coast, driving up energy demand, while the West faces heightened wildfire risk. Severe storms, including tornadoes and damaging winds, will peak in early to midsummer across the Plains and Midwest before shifting east. Flash flooding risks will rise in multiple regions, even as drought worsens in parts of the Northwest and Gulf Coast. 
