2022 North American heat waves

The first round of intense heat came on May 13, when Caribou, Maine hit {{convert|90|F|C}}, the second earliest on record.{{cite news |last1=Jellig |first1=Amanda |title=May brings the heat and snow too |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/me/maine/weather/2022/05/18/caribou-heatwave |access-date=October 29, 2022 |publisher=Spectrum News |date=May 21, 2022}} The next day, three people who lived inside of a senior building passed away in Chicago, Illinois as a result of the heat, due to the air conditioning malfunctioning.{{cite news |last1=Ward |first1=Joe |title=After 3 Die At Rogers Park Senior Building That Didn't Turn On Its Air Conditioning, Alderwoman Calls For Investigation |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/05/16/after-3-die-at-rogers-park-senior-building-that-didnt-turn-on-its-air-conditioning-alderwoman-calls-for-investigation/ |access-date=May 22, 2022 |publisher=Block Club Chicago |date=May 16, 2022}} Later that month, in Memphis, Tennessee, when temperatures reached {{convert|91|F|C}}, an infant died after being left unattended inside of a motor vehicle.{{cite news |last1=Jacob |first1=Gallant |title=Police: Toddler dies of heat exhaustion after left in hot car at day care |url=https://www.actionnews5.com/2022/05/19/police-toddler-dies-heat-exhaustion-after-left-hot-car-day-care/ |access-date=May 22, 2022 |issue=May 19, 2022 |publisher=Action News 5}}

On May 21, 2022, heat became prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic, resulting in a near record hot Preakness Stakes horse race, with Baltimore and Philadelphia having temperatures of {{convert|95|F|C}}, Washington DC at {{convert|92|F|C}}, and New York City at {{convert|90|F|C}}.{{cite news |last1=Johnson-Levine |first1=Andrew |title=Intense heat scorches much of the East Coast, with more still to come |url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/intense-heat-scorches-much-of-the-east-coast-with-more-still-to-come/1191128 |access-date=May 22, 2022 |date=May 22, 2022 |publisher=AccuWeather}} This heat persisted into May 22, when Dulles International Airport hit {{convert|91|F|C}}, breaking the daily high record, and Westfield, Massachusetts hit {{convert|93|F|C}}.[https://www.npr.org/2022/05/22/1100609183/heat-records-weather-texas-northeast Large swaths of the U.S. set daily temperature records], NPR, May 22, 2022 Also on May 22, New York City sets a record high low temperature of {{convert|72|F|C}}, although the high of {{convert|89|F|C}} was not a record.{{cite web | url=https://www.extremeweatherwatch.com/cities/new-york/day/may-22 | title=New York City May 22 Weather Records }} Very brief intense heat returned on May 31, as much of the New York Metropolitan Area set record highs that day.[https://www.silive.com/weather/2022/06/a-scorcher-for-the-books-multiple-high-temperature-records-shattered-in-nyc-area-tuesday-says-nws.html A scorcher for the books: Multiple high-temperature records shattered in NYC area Tuesday, says NWS] Silve.cos, June 1, 2022 Toronto also recorded a record high of {{convert|32.2|C|F}} that day.[https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/05/31/toronto-records-new-temperature-high-for-may-31-beats-78-year-old-temperature-record.html Toronto records new temperature high for May 31, beats 78-year-old temperature record], The Star, May 31, 2022 Further south, schools released kids early that day due to the heat, with highs forecast in the upper 90s Fahrenheit.[https://abcnews.go.com/US/record-high-temperatures-northeast-latest-forecast/story?id=85082259 Schools dismiss students early amid dangerous heat], ABC News, May 31, 2022 However, by June 1, a backdoor cold front reduced temperatures dramatically.[https://arcfieldweather.com/blog/2022/6/1/700-am-relief-today-following-the-passage-of-a-back-door-cool-front 7:00 AM | *Relief today following the passage of a back door cool front*], ArcField Weather, June 1, 2022 On May 31, Boston dropped from {{convert|82|F|C}} to {{convert|63|F|C}} in ten minutes.[https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/pollen-storm-boston-temperature-drop/ Dramatic temperature drop followed by "pollen storm" in Boston area], CBS Boston, May 31, 2022

== June ==

A historic heat wave affected the Midwestern United States and Southeastern United States in the second week of June 2022. In Phoenix, a daily record was tied, as the mercury soared up to 114 °F (45.6 °C).{{cite news |title=Heatwave scorches central U.S., people urged to stay indoors |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/heatwave-scorches-central-us-people-urged-stay-indoors-2022-06-13/ |access-date=June 18, 2022 |publisher=Reuters |date=June 14, 2022}} In North Platte, Nebraska, a record temperature of {{convert|108|F|C}} was recorded.{{cite news |last1=Wolfe |first1=Elizabeth |title=Across the US, a day of extreme weather prompts heat warnings, severe flooding and power outages for hundreds of thousands |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/14/weather/extreme-weather-monday-heat-wave-flooding-power-outages/index.html |access-date=June 18, 2022 |publisher=CNN |date=June 14, 2022}} In Death Valley, a man died when trying to refuel gas as temperatures climbed to {{convert|123|F|C}}.{{cite news |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Zachary |title=Man found dead in Death Valley following record-breaking heat |url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/man-found-dead-in-death-valley-following-record-breaking-heat/1203268 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |publisher=AccuWeather |date=June 16, 2022}} In Rocky Mountain National Park, the excess heat resulted in rapid snowmelt, and the flooding forced a trail in the park to close.{{cite news |last1=Bloom |first1=Matt |title=Flooding from snowmelt leads to Rocky Mountain National Park closures, tubing restrictions in St. Vrain River |url=https://www.cpr.org/2022/06/14/snowmelt-flooding-closes-rocky-mountain-national-park-roads-tubing-restrictions/ |access-date=January 15, 2023 |publisher=CPR News |date=June 14, 2022}} A trail was also shut down at Joshua Tree National Park, where temperatures were predicted to reach as high as {{convert|117|F|C}}.[https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/national-parks/joshua-tree-national-park-trail-closed-for-drought This Popular California National Park Trail Is Temporarily Closed Due to Extreme Heat — What to Know], Travel + Leisure, June 10, 2022 Temperatures in Memphis soared to {{convert|98|F|C}}, with a heat index of {{convert|110|F|C}}. This forced over 125 million people under excessive heat warnings.{{cite news |last1=Freedman |first1=Andrew |title=Record-breaking heat wave envelops nearly 130 million in U.S. |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/06/13/heat-wave-intensifies-plains-chicago-memphis |access-date=June 18, 2022 |publisher=Axios}} In Odessa, Texas, thousands of residents were left without water, even as the temperature got to {{convert|105|F|C}}.{{cite news |last1=Loy |first1=Wyatt |title=No water. High heat. Residents cope with unimaginable circumstances |url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/no-water-extreme-heat-residents-in-texas-cope-with-unimaginable-circumstances/1203285 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |publisher=AccuWeather |date=June 16, 2022}} In San Antonio, every day in June 2022 was at least as hot as 97 °F (36 °C), except for June 28.{{Cite web|url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/san-antonio/78205/june-weather/351198?year=2022|title=San Antonio. June Weather|access-date=April 9, 2023}} On June 13, St. Louis hit 100 °F (37.8 °C), breaking the daily record. In addition, from the 13–16, the morning low never went below 81 °F (27.2 °C), breaking the warmest morning low record for the next 4 days. In Chicago, Midway Airport recorded three days with high temperatures of at least {{convert|100|F|C}} between June 14 and 21.{{cite tweet |user=NWSChicago |number=1539337424181964800 |title=[3 PM CDT 6/21] #Chicago Midway Airport has officially reached 100° today for the 3rd time over the past week (June 14, 15, and today/6/21). O'Hare is currently 98°, which is the warmest reading of the day there so far. |date=June 21, 2022}} On June 17, the heat dome moved over the Mid-Atlantic briefly, causing a record high of {{convert|99|F|C}} in Washington DC, and tying the record high of {{convert|96|F|C}} in Baltimore.[https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/heat-emergency-declared-in-d-c-chance-of-isolated-evening-storm/3079917/ Hottest Day of the Year: Friday's Temperature Hit 99 Degrees], NBC Washington, June 17, 2022[https://www.wmar2news.com/weather/weather-blogs/junes-all-time-hottest-temperature June's All-Time Hottest Temperature], WMAR, June 17, 2022 On June 20, Minneapolis set a daily record high of {{convert|101|F|C}}, with a heat index of {{convert|105|F|C}}. June 18 saw Mobile, Alabama have a record high of {{convert|100|F|C}}.[https://edition.cnn.com/2022/06/20/weather/record-heat-wave-southeast-second-week-monday/index.html Second heat wave expected to bring temps above 100 for 20% of people in US], CNN, June 20, 2022 This was the first time Minneapolis saw triple digits in four years. Grand Forks, North Dakota saw a daily high record of {{convert|100|F|C}} in June 19, and Houston and Galveston saw record highs of {{convert|101|F|C}} and {{convert|97|F|C}} respectively on June 20.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/06/20/southeast-heatwave-record-temperatures-drought/ Excessive heat swelling from Midwest toward the South], Washington Post, June 21, 2022 Heat in Alaska triggered 31 wildfires.[https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/record-temperatures-scorching-alaska-as-july-kicks-off/1209162 Record-high temperatures scorching Alaska as July kicks off], AccuWeather, July 2, 2022

An intense, fatal heat wave swept through the United States in July. More than 100 million people were put on heat alerts, and over 85% of the country had temperatures at or above {{convert|90|F|C}}. A man died in Dallas County, Texas, and a heat emergency was triggered in Washington DC due to temperatures over {{convert|95|F|C}}, on the weekend of July 23–24. This extreme heat severely intensifies drought conditions. Arkansas and Missouri went from 1% and 2% of their states from seeing severe drought or worse, to a quarter and a third. On July 17, Winnipeg saw their highest ever dew point, at {{convert|27.4|C|F}}.{{cite news |title=Highest dew point on record at Winnipeg Airport today, at over 27°C. Great Falls, MB reached 29°C. Dew point is an absolute measure of water vapour/mugginess in the air. The provincial (and Canadian) all-time record is 30.0°C in Carman on July 25, 2007. #MBwx |url=https://twitter.com/pat_wx/status/1548822632811974656?s=46&t=SwWYfATzpuOUBo6qH_5cUw |access-date=January 15, 2023 |agency=Twitter |publisher=Patrick Duplessis |date=July 17, 2022}}

Temperatures in Abilene, Texas on July 20 hit {{convert|110|F|C}}, breaking a daily record. Austin, Texas also saw a daily high record of {{convert|104|F|C}}. Daily record high low temperature records were set, like in Needles, California, where the temperature never dipped below {{convert|95|F|C}} on July 20. Record warm low temperatures were also set in Galveston ({{convert|86|F|C}}), Wichita Falls ({{convert|84|F|C}}), Houston ({{convert|81|F|C}}) and Laredo ({{convert|81|F|C}}), on July 20.{{cite news |title=Dangerously high temperatures will last through the weekend with millions of Americans set to experience triple-digit heat |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/21/weather/us-extreme-heat-thursday/index.html |access-date=July 23, 2022 |publisher=CNN |date=July 21, 2022}} The heat wave was responsible for 18 other deaths, including 12 in Maricopa County, Arizona and one at Badlands National Park.{{cite news |last1=Sabes |first1=Adam |title=Heat wave responsible for multiple deaths across US |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/heat-wave-responsible-multiple-deaths-across-us |access-date=July 23, 2022 |publisher=Fox News |date=July 23, 2022}} Witchita Falls hit {{convert|115|F|C}} on July 20, a record for July, while on that day Oklahoma also reached that mark. Oklahoma City set a monthly record high of {{convert|110|F|C}}.[https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2022/07/20/okc-weather-hits-record-high-110-degrees-july-19/65377692007/ Oklahoma heat wave 2022: OKC hits 110 degrees, setting daily heat record], The Oklahoman, July 20, 2022 Further east, every day from July 20 to 24 in Newark, New Jersey got at or over {{convert|100|F|C}}, the longest streak on record. Boston also set a record high on July 24, at {{convert|100|F|C}}.[https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/heat-wave-hit-pacific-northwest-year-deadly-event-87373872 Heat wave to hit Northwest as Northeast sees some relief], ABC News, July 25, 2022 When the heat wave broke on July 25, multiple flash flood warnings were issued with the cold front.[https://pix11.com/weather/ny-weather-afternoon-storms-to-finally-break-heat-bring-relief/ Flash Flood Warning issued in NYC, NJ as storms expected to break heat], PIX11, July 25, 2022 While most parts of New Jersey exceeded {{convert|90|F|C}} for the 8th day, New York City was kept to {{convert|86|F|C}}, thus keeping the heat wave to 6 days there.{{cite news |title=N.J. weather: Severe thunderstorm, flash flood warnings issued as fierce storms hit state |url=https://www.nj.com/weather/2022/07/nj-weather-severe-thunderstorm-warnings-issued-as-fierce-storms-hit-state-with-hail-gusty-winds.html |access-date=February 4, 2023 |publisher=NJ.com|date=July 25, 2022}} Also, in New York City, for only the 3rd time, the entire month had highs above {{convert|80|F|C}}.{{cite web | url=https://thestarryeye.typepad.com/weather/2022/08/july-2022-becomes-just-third-month-with-highs-of-80-on-all-days.html | title=July 2022 – Just the Second July with Highs of 80+ on Every Day }} Overall, July 2022 was the 3rd warmest July on record, 8th for daily maximum but had the warmest daily minimums at record, at {{convert|63.57|F|C}}. Texas saw their warmest July on record, with an average high temperature of {{convert|100.2|F|C}}.[https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2022/08/july-2022-warmest-nights-in-u-s-history/ July 2022: Warmest nights in U.S. history], Yale Climate Connections, August 8, 2022

Later on in the month, another heat wave in Portland, Oregon causes 14 additional deaths. Portland saw 7 consecutive days at or above {{convert|95|F|C}}, while Seattle saw six days at or above {{convert|90|F|C}}, both breaking records for duration, by July 31.[https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/01/heatwave-suspected-14-oregon-deaths Blistering heatwave suspected in 14 Oregon deaths], The Guardian, August 1, 2022

Intense heat continued into August. In early August, a heat wave forced 80 million Americans under heat alerts.{{cite news |title=Heat triggers alerts for more than 80 million in central, eastern U.S. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/08/04/northeast-midatlantic-heat-wave/ |access-date=September 6, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=August 1, 2022}} Albany, New York set a new daily record high of {{convert|99|F|C}} on August 4.{{cite news |title=Thursday's High Heat and Storms – The Unique Factors Pushing This Summer's Temperatures Up |url=https://cbs6albany.com/weather/weather-extra/thursdays-high-heat-and-storms-the-unique-factors-pushing-this-summers-temperatures-up |access-date=September 6, 2022 |publisher=CBS 6 Albany |date=August 6, 2022}} On August 7, Portland set a high temperature record of {{convert|96|F|C}}.[https://www.wmtw.com/article/how-hot-maine-records/40833308 How hot was it? Maine sets records], WMTW, August 8, 2022 Boston set a new daily record high on August 8, at {{convert|98|F|C}}.{{cite news |title=Brutal heat wave in Boston is set to end Wednesday |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/08/09/august-heat-wave-ending-boston-massachusetts |access-date=September 6, 2022 |publisher=WBUR |date=August 9, 2022}} On August 9, Philadelphia got an excessive heat warning due to heat indexes over {{convert|105|F|C}} for two consecutive hours.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Anthony |title=Philly heat is about to retreat after 3 days of triple-digit heat indexes |url=https://www.inquirer.com/weather/heat-wave-philadelphia-weather-climate-deaths-20220809.html |access-date=September 6, 2022 |publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=August 9, 2022}} This led to a ten day long heat wave in Philadelphia, while Boston saw temperatures above {{convert|95|F|C}} for six days in a row.{{cite news |last1=Travis |first1=Courtney |title=Rare summer nor'easter could bring lingering taste of fall |url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/rare-summer-noreaster-could-bring-lingering-taste-of-fall/1231741/amp |access-date=December 25, 2022 |publisher=AccuWeather |date=August 15, 2022}} Due to this, the New York Metropolitan Area had a top 5 hottest August, and Islip, New York and Newark, New Jersey had their warmest on record,{{cite web | url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/environment/august-record-breaking-heat-long-island-sc6k5g9a | title=LI sizzled in record-breaking August heat }} and so did Philadelphia a little bit to the southwest.{{cite news |last1=D’Onofrio |first1=Mike |title=August marked a record scorcher in Philadelphia |url=https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/09/08/philadelphia-record-heat-august |access-date=December 25, 2022 |publisher=Axios Philadelphia |date=September 8, 2022}} Further west, Missoula, Montana saw their hottest August on record,{{cite web | url=https://newstalkkgvo.com/july-and-august-were-the-hottest-missoula-has-ever-been/ | title=July and August Were the Hottest Missoula Has Ever Been }} while Portland, Oregon recorded their warmest ever month.{{cite news |title=August Was Portland's Hottest Month Ever |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/environment/2022/09/02/august-was-portlands-hottest-month-ever/ |access-date=February 4, 2023 |publisher=WWeek |date=September 2, 2022}} August, like July, was the warmest for daily minimums in the United States.[https://www.noaa.gov/news/us-sweltered-through-third-hottest-summer-on-record U.S. sweltered through third-hottest summer on record], NOAA, September 9, 2022 Oregon, Washington, Idaho, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire had their warmest August on record.[https://climateimpactcompany.com/daily-feature-summer-august-2022-state-climate-rankings-2/ NOAA Summer/August 2022 State Climate Rankings], Climate Impact Company In addition, Newark set a record for the most days above {{convert|90|F|C}} in August.[https://www.silive.com/weather/2022/08/newark-breaks-record-for-most-90-degree-days-in-august.html Newark breaks record for most 90-degree days in August], Silive, August 30, 2022

On September 1, Death Valley hit {{convert|127|F|C}}, a global record for September.{{cite news |title=Death Valley hits 127 degrees, setting record for hottest September day on the planet |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/death-valley-127-degrees-record-hottest-september-day-on-the-planet/ |access-date=September 6, 2022 |publisher=CBS Los Angeles |date=September 2, 2022}} That day, parts of Interstate 15 near Centerville, Utah buckled.[https://ksltv.com/504538/record-breaking-temperatures-cause-road-to-buckle-in-centerville-i-15-backed-up-for-hours/ Record-breaking heat causes road to buckle in Centerville; I-15 backed up for hours], KSLTV, September 1, 2022 On September 4, a monthly record was set in Casper, Wyoming at {{convert|100|F|C}}.{{cite news |title=Casper September heat record falls; heat wave to continue today through Thursday |url=https://oilcity.news/community/weather/2022/09/05/casper-september-heat-record-falls-heat-wave-to-continue-today-through-thursday/ |access-date=September 7, 2022 |publisher=OilCity |date=September 5, 2022}} Sacramento hit a record high on September 5, of {{convert|116|F|C}}. San Francisco also had a daily record that day of {{convert|97|F|C}}.{{cite web |last1=Salahieh |first1=Nouran |last2=Ramirez |first2=Rachel |last3=Andone |first3=Dakin |date=September 7, 2022 |title=Brutal heat wave shatters all-time records, threatens power outages across California. And a hurricane could prolong it |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/07/us/western-us-heat-wave-wednesday/index.html |website=CNN}} A monthly record high of Salt Lake City was set as well that day, at {{convert|103|F|C}}.{{cite web | title=Heat Wave Breaks All-Time September Record in Salt Lake City | website=US News & World Report | date=5 September 2022 | url=//www.usnews.com/news/best-states/utah/articles/2022-09-05/heat-wave-breaks-all-time-september-record-in-salt-lake-city | access-date=9 April 2023}} California's power grid nearly broke.{{cite news |title=California pushed to the limit by a relentless heat wave that broke the mold |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-09-07/extreme-heat-across-california-lingers-threat-of-blackouts-grows |access-date=September 7, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 7, 2022}} There were two deaths – one each in Arizona and Idaho.{{cite news |date=September 7, 2022 |title=California manages unprecedented power demand as historic heat wave in West enters 4th day |work=Fox Weather |publisher= |url=https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/parts-of-los-angeles-area-hit-110-degrees-as-record-heat-continues-to-broil-southwest |access-date=September 7, 2022}} Later on in the month, Nashville set their latest day at or above {{convert|100|F|C}} on September 21.[https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/near-freezing-temperatures-could-establish-new-record-lows-across-a-wide-swath-of-the-south/1263998 Near-freezing temperatures could establish new record lows across a wide swath of the South], AccuWeather, October 16, 2022 Nevada and Utah saw their hottest September on record, and the 3rd quarter of 2022 for the United States as a whole was the hottest on record.[https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/national/202209 September 2022 National Climate Report], NOAA September 2022 became the hottest on record for the continent of North America at large.[https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/dozens-of-cities-sweat-through-warmest-september-on-record North America sweats through warmest September on record], Fox Weather, October 14, 2022

• Weather of 2022
• 2020–22 North American drought

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{{Deadliest U.S. meteorological events in 2022}}

Category:2022 in the United States

Category:2022 meteorology

Category:2022 heat waves