[REVISION HISTORY]

North American extreme heat and severe storm events

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-12 14:13 UTC → 2026-08-13 18:57 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following the extreme heat and flooding in early July 2026, a persistent pattern of severe weather and high temperatures continued through mid-August. In early August, a widespread pattern of thunderstorms impacted the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Appalachian regions. These storms brought risks of damaging winds up to 60 mph, large hail, and significant flash flooding, with rainfall rates reaching 1 to 3 inches per hour in some areas. Residents in Chicago were specifically advised to prepare for flash flooding. Other regions, including the Nebraska Panhandle, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Georgia, also faced threats from high-velocity winds and localized flooding. By mid-August, the weather remained volatile. A flood watch was issued for portions of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio due to excessive rainfall. In central Indiana, storm complexes threatened wind gusts exceeding 70 mph and localized rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches. Concurrently, heat advisories were issued for southwestern Indiana, where heat index values were expected to reach 105 degrees. Forecasts for the central United States, including Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee, indicated a combination of extreme heat and severe storms. Heat index values were projected to reach between 106 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Storm activity during this period brought threats of strong winds exceeding 65 mph, half-dollar-sized hail, flooding, and the potential for brief, weak tornadoes in the Illinois and Kentucky areas. By August 12, a massive heat dome settled over the Southeastern and Central United States, threatening approximately 80 million people. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted the system would bring record-breaking heat, with over 30 million people facing extreme risks and 50 million facing major heat risks. Heat index values were expected to reach between 105°F and 118°F across regions including Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas.

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