Why is there a heatwave in the Eastern United States?

As of June 26, 2025, a heatwave is affecting the eastern and central United States and over the course of the week has impacted over 200 million people (1)(2). Temperatures soared to over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the country.

While initially most extreme in the Great Plains, the heatwave intensified in the American Midwest and the eastern U.S.

Extreme heat will likely worsen air quality and increase the risk of wildfire activity across a large part of the country.

Which cities or areas are affected by the heatwave?

Most major cities in the central and eastern United States endured high temperatures ranging from the 90s into the 110s in the coming week. Major cities still being impacted include:

• Atlanta, Georgia
• Baltimore, Maryland
  
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Columbus, Ohio
• Lexington, Kentucky
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Louisville, Kentucky
• Montgomery, Alabama
  
• Nashville, Tennessee
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Raleigh, North Carolina
  
• Savannah, Georgia
• Shreveport, Louisiana
• St. Louis, Missouri
  
• Washington DC

How long will the heatwave last?

The worst of the heatwave is expected to be more limited on Thursday, June 26, and linger mostly in the South and the Ohio Valley (3). Weather models show the heat dome largely from west to east over the coming week, with soaring temperatures lingering in the South and East Coast.

Are there any alerts in place?

The National Weather Service has issued numerous watches and warnings for the U.S (4).

• The NWS issued extreme heat warnings for eastern West Virginia.
• A heat advisory has been issued for Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee.

The specific areas shown as watches and warnings are likely to change throughout the weekend.