US Heat Dome 2026
June 29 – July 5, 2026 Updated Jul 5
Every published chapter of The Fold's coverage of US Heat Dome 2026, in one place — oldest to newest, updated as the story develops.
Heat dome to bake eastern US through July Fourth, threatening hundreds of records
A powerful heat dome is building over the central and eastern United States, putting some 200 million people under dangerous heat with triple-digit highs forecast in Washington, Philadelphia and beyond, peaking over the July Fourth weekend.
Extreme heat warnings cover 47 million from Midwest to East Coast into July 4 week
About 47 million Americans across the Midwest and Ohio Valley were under extreme heat warnings Tuesday, with heat indexes near 105 in Chicago and Minneapolis as the dangerous dome of heat spreads east and threatens records through the July 4 holiday.
Heat dome peaks for July Fourth with 185 million under alerts and 300-plus records in reach
The heat dome The Fold tracked building in late June crested over the holiday weekend, with more than 185 million Americans under heat alerts and over 300 daily records expected to fall from the Plains to the East Coast by Saturday.
Heat Dome's Record Tally Comes Into Focus as Relief Nears for the East
As the Fourth of July heat dome that put more than 185 million Americans under alerts begins to break down, the record tally is coming into focus — from Newark's 105°F to Atlantic City's 105°F — with cooler air set to reach the East by midweek.