October 2026 heat wave breaks records across Midwest and South
A historic October heat wave shattered daily temperature records across the central U.S. on October 13, 2026, with readings up to 13.3°C above normal, following the warmest September on record for the contiguous states.
Eight states recorded their warmest September, setting the stage for historic October heat that shattered daily high-temperature records across multiple states. The October records followed the warmest September in the 132-year temperature record for the contiguous United States. NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information reported an average September temperature of 20.8°C (69.4°F), which was 2.6°C above the 20th-century average and surpassed the previous record of 20.5°C set in 1998.
Midwest temperature extremes
Cities across Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois saw temperatures 9.4-13.3°C above normal, with St. Louis, Quincy, and Springfield breaking or tying long-standing October 13 records. Five daily high-temperature records were broken and one was tied at six sites. Temperatures reached between 32.8°C and 33.9°C.
| Location | Temperature on Oct 13 | Previous Record (Year) | Degrees Above Normal |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | 33.9°C (93°F) | 32.2°C (90°F) in 1899 | 12.2°C (22°F) |
| Quincy, IL | 32.8°C (91°F) | 30.6°C (87°F) in 1975 | 13.3°C (24°F) |
| Springfield, IL | 33.3°C (92°F) | 31.1°C (88°F) in 1899/1975 | 12.8°C (23°F) |
| Springfield, MO | 33.9°C (93°F) | 31.1°C (88°F) in 2017 | 12.2°C (22°F) |
| Wichita, KS | 32.8°C (91°F) | 32.2°C (90°F) in 1954/1966 | 10.6°C (19°F) |
| Tulsa, OK | Record tied | Record from 1963 | 9.4°C (17°F) |
Multiple sites also set records on October 12. St. Louis reached 33.3°C, exceeding a record from 1879. Quincy and Springfield, Illinois, also surpassed previous daily highs.
Broader heat threat and outlook
Above-normal temperatures are forecast to persist across the Midwest, Southeast, and Southern Plains, with dangerous wet-bulb temperatures and Climate Shift Index levels indicating climate change made the extreme heat at least five times more likely. The Weather Prediction Center said additional daily records were possible for several more days. A strong ridge of high pressure extends from the Gulf Coast northward through the Mississippi Valley and into the Midwest.
Unusually warm October temperatures are forecast across the U.S. from October 12-16. In Southern Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley, highs of 32-36°C are forecast, running 4-12°C above normal. Along the Texas Gulf Coast, wet-bulb temperatures will reach 25-26°C, a level considered dangerous for heat-related illness. In the Midwest and Ohio Valley, highs of 33-36°C are forecast, generally 8-12°C above normal. Some areas of eastern Missouri and central Illinois are forecast to reach 15-16°C above normal. In the Southeast, highs of 29-32°C are forecast, with temperatures 3-11°C above normal.
The heat will affect communities recovering from Hurricane Isaias in the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama, where widespread power outages have disrupted access to air conditioning. The heat could increase the potential for heat-related illness, particularly among those without power and people working outdoors on storm cleanup. Climate Shift Index levels of 5, the highest possible, are forecast in San Antonio, Houston, and Miami, meaning human-caused climate change made this extreme heat at least five times more likely.
What comes next
Cooler Canadian air is expected to bring more seasonable temperatures to the central U.S. later in the week. The Weather Prediction Center confirmed this shift would offer relief after days of record-breaking heat.
