As the summer season neared its end, a significant heat dome settled over the south-central United States, resulting in extreme temperatures across several states. On September 15, 2026, approximately 41 million people—roughly 12 percent of the U.S. population—were placed under heat-related advisories, watches, or warnings by the National Weather Service.
The high-pressure system, which traps hot air near the surface and prevents cloud formation, caused temperatures to soar in states including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee. Data modeled by NASA’s Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) indicated that temperatures in some regions reached or surpassed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Meteorologists noted that high humidity and minimal wind further exacerbated the conditions, heightening the risk of heat-related health issues.
Several cities recorded new daily high temperatures on September 15. Dallas, Texas, reached 101ºF (38ºC), while Memphis, Tennessee, hit 99ºF (37ºC). Nashville, Tennessee, recorded 100ºF (38ºC), surpassing a daily record that had stood since 1927. These locations experienced temperatures at least 12ºF above their seasonal averages.
This mid-September event followed a record-breaking summer for the contiguous United States. According to NOAA, the period from June through August 2026 was the warmest in a 132-year record, exceeding previous highs set in 1936 and 2021 by 0.4ºF.
Source: NASA Earth Observatory
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