Northeast Overview - July 2026

Monthly Summary

PLEASE NOTE: Data is preliminary and subject to change.

Summary Statement

July featured a record-setting heat wave, locally extreme rainfall, and several significant severe weather events.

Temperature

The average temperature for July in the Northeast was 71.1 degrees F, 0.9 degrees F hotter than normal. July average temperatures for the 12 Northeast states ranged from 0.4 degrees F below normal in Connecticut to 1.8 degrees F above normal in West Virginia, with nine of the states being warmer than normal. This July ranked as the 14th hottest July since recordkeeping began in 1895 for Delaware and as the 17th hottest on record for Maryland and West Virginia. A heat wave in early July set or tied multiple records. Atlantic City, New Jersey, tied its all-time hottest temperature of 106 degrees F, while Wilmington, Delaware, tied its hottest July temperature of 103 degrees F. Low temperatures of 84 degrees F at Washington, D.C.; 80 degrees F at Providence, Rhode Island; and 71 degrees F at Caribou, Maine, tied as each site’s all-time hottest low temperatures on record. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Dulles Airport, Virginia, tied their hottest low temperatures for July at 81 degrees F and 78 degrees F, respectively. Several other notable records were set/tied including longest streak of days with a high of 100 degrees F or higher. See the Notable Weather Events section below for more information. On July 16, Dulles Airport, Virginia, had a low of 81 degrees F: its first time on record with a low of at least 80 degrees F, the hottest low temperature for July beating the record set earlier in the month, and its hottest low temperature for any month on record.

Precipitation

During July, the Northeast received 4.53 inches of precipitation, which was 104 percent of normal. Precipitation during July for the 12 Northeast states ranged from 51 percent of normal in Maine to 198 percent of normal in Rhode Island, with eight states being wetter than normal. This July was the fourth-driest July for Maine but ranked among the 20 wettest for five other states: Connecticut, sixth wettest; Rhode Island, seventh wettest; Massachusetts, 12th wettest; Delaware, 15th wettest; and New Jersey, 18th wettest. On July 29, Albany, New York, had 5.45 inches of rain and Worcester, Massachusetts, saw 4.56 inches of rain, qualifying as each site’s wettest July day on record.

Drought

The U.S. Drought Monitor from July 7 showed 25 percent of the Northeast in drought and 12 percent of the region as abnormally dry. Extreme drought was present in portions of Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey, while severe and/or moderate drought were found in locations closer to the coast along a path from Maryland to Maine, as well as some southern locations like southern and eastern West Virginia. During July, drought contracted in areas that saw ample rainfall and recovering streamflow, groundwater levels, and soil moisture. For example, extreme drought was erased from much of Maryland and New Jersey, while severe drought in West Virginia, New York, and Rhode Island was reduced to small patches. The notable exception was Maine, where moderate drought spread due to reduced rainfall and declining streamflow, groundwater levels, and soil moisture. The U.S. Drought Monitor from July 28 showed 21 percent of the Northeast in drought and 18 percent of the region as abnormally dry. Drought conditions continued to have impacts in the region. At times during July, USGS 7-day streamflow was record low in places like the Delmarva Peninsula, southeastern Pennsylvania, coastal New Jersey, central New York, and central Maine. Groundwater levels were record low at times during the month in several areas including parts of Maryland, southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, eastern New York, and southeastern Massachusetts. Water conservation continued to be encouraged in some areas, with a few water suppliers in parts of southern New Hampshire, southern New England, southeastern New York, northeastern New Jersey, and south-central Pennsylvania having mandatory water restrictions or watering bans. In early July, a report from southwestern West Virginia noted that people continued to fill water tanks at the municipal water source. Baltimore, Maryland, officials tested their backup water system for the first time in 20 years. Drought and hot temperatures contributed to a fishkill in the Potomac River in Maryland. Condition monitoring reports from West Virginia during the month noted that hot, dry weather slowed crop and pasture growth and left fields dry, second cutting of hay yields were reduced (in some locations by over 50 percent) compared to an average year, and that a grower opted to have cattle graze a hay field instead of cutting it due to drought. Additionally, some corn crops in Delaware were a loss.

Notable Weather Events

From July 1 to 5, the Northeast experienced a record-setting heat wave. For the first time on record, Atlantic City, New Jersey, had three straight days with a high of at least 103 degrees F, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, had three consecutive days with a high of at least 101 degrees F. Atlantic City and Philadelphia had their greatest number of days with a high of at least 103 degrees F and at least 101 degrees F, respectively, for any month on record. It became the only July on record to have three consecutive days with a high of at least 102 degrees F in Wilmington, Delaware. Several sites including Kennedy Airport, New York; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Boston, Massachusetts, had their longest streak of days with a high of at least 100 degrees F. Both Atlantic City and Kennedy Airport set/tied their record for greatest number of days with a high of at least 100 degrees F for any month on record with 4 days and 3 days, respectively. Similarly, Wilmington and LaGuardia Airport, New York, set/tied their record for greatest number of days with a high of at least 100 degrees F for July, with 3 days and 2 days, respectively. For the first time in July, Providence, Rhode Island, had a low of at least 80 degrees F, which also tied as its greatest number of such days for any month on record. Portland, Maine, had back-to-back days with a low of at least 72 degrees F, tying its longest such streak. Preliminary data indicated that PJM Interconnection, a power grid operator that services over 65 million customers and covers much of the Mid-Atlantic, set a record for its highest peak load on July 2. The heat caused several Fourth of July events to be cancelled and was linked to at least 39 deaths and hundreds of people seeking heat-related medical care. There were several other significant events in July. A preliminary total of 37 tornadoes were reported in the Northeast. This included 14 tornadoes in Pennsylvania, well above the state’s July average of three tornadoes (based on data from 2001 to 2025). West Virginia had nine tornadoes compared to its July average of zero, while Maryland had six tornadoes compared to its July average of one. New York had five tornadoes, while New Jersey had four, compared to their July averages of three tornadoes and one tornado, respectively. Preliminary data indicated a few counties including Morris County in New Jersey, Broome County in New York, Pendleton and Pleasants Counties in West Virginia, and Anne Arundel and Talbot Counties in Maryland set or tied their record for greatest number of tornadoes for any month and/or year, with records back to 1950. During the month, there were hundreds of instances of wind damage across the region, along with some large hail. A few of the severe weather, flash flood, and other significant events are highlighted below.

• July 1 to 6 – Severe weather struck a portion of the Northeast each day of the heat wave, with July 4 being particularly noteworthy. Thunderstorm-related wind gusts resulted in hundreds of instances of wind damage including snapped power poles and downed trees and branches that caused significant damage to buildings, dozens of road closures, and at least two deaths and a few injuries. Pennsylvania had a few areas of more concentrated damage including a section of Lancaster County with straight-line winds of up to 85 mph that led to four houses being condemned and a portion of Perry County where an EF-1 tornado touched down. Widespread, and in some cases prolonged, power outages occurred, especially in Pennsylvania. PPL Electric, which services roughly 1.5 million customers across 29 counties in Pennsylvania, noted that the storm event was one of the 10 most significant in the company’s history. To restore power, the company assembled over 3,000 workers, calling it its “largest restoration workforce…since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.” A 3-inch hailstone was reported in Connecticut, with preliminary data indicating the hailstone could be among the state’s largest. The severe weather disrupted some Fourth of July festivities. Additionally, locally heavy rainfall associated with the storms, led to flash flooding in portions of the Mid-Atlantic and New York primarily on July 5 and 6. The flooding led to evacuations, road closures, water rescues, and inundated buildings. At least two people suffered flood-related injuries.
• July 15 to 18 - Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and northern Minnesota was transported into the Northeast. The smoke created poor air quality, reduced visibility, and lowered high temperatures. The most intense smoke was present on July 16 and 17, days when Air Quality Alerts were issued for parts of many Northeast states. In fact, portions of New York and the Mid-Atlantic experienced "Hazardous" and “Very Unhealthy” air quality, EPA’s worst and second worst air quality categories. Sensors in some locations in western Pennsylvania such as Erie and Beaver Falls reported "Hazardous" or “Very Unhealthy” air quality for at least 24 consecutive hours. The smoke caused some outdoor facilities and activities such as pools, amusement parks, golf courses, sporting events, and concerts to close or be cancelled.
• July 18 – A frontal system helped push wildfire smoke out of the Northeast but also sparked severe weather. The region saw nine tornadoes, with eight of those touching down or traveling through Pennsylvania. The strongest tornado was rated an EF-2, while another tornado traveled a 15-mile-long path through central New York and part of northeastern Pennsylvania. There were also multiple instances of straight-line winds, with estimated speeds of up to 105 mph. Storm reports noted extensive damage to trees and power lines, snapped power poles, and roof damage to some buildings. Several areas saw heavy rain and flash flooding. For instance, Rochester, New York, reported 1.91 inches of rain in an hour, ranking among its highest hourly rainfall totals on record, with flooded roads and water rescues reported in nearby areas. Similar flash flooding impacts of inundated roads and multiple water rescues were reported in the New York City metro area.
• July 21 – Severe weather produced 21 tornadoes and catastrophic flooding in portions of the Mid-Atlantic and New York. West Virginia had nine tornadoes (including two that were rated EF-2), making it one of the most active days for tornadoes in the state since records began in 1950. There were five tornadoes in Pennsylvania, four in New Jersey, and three in New York. Based on preliminary data, it was the greatest number of tornadoes in a day for Morris County, New Jersey, with three and Pleasants and Pendleton Counties in West Virginia, with three and two, respectively. Many of the tornadoes were on the ground for at least a mile. The longest track was 24.19 miles, with the tornado starting in Ohio, traversing through parts of four West Virginia counties, and growing as wide as three-quarters of a mile. The tornadoes caused significant tree damage, as well as damage to outbuildings and some homes. Several locations in the Northeast saw heavy rain and flash flooding but one of the most notable events occurred in central West Virginia where 4 to 8 inches of rain fell. In fact, the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency, signifying a dangerous, life-threating situation, for part of Upshur County where 7.60 inches of rain was reported. Preliminary data indicated that Sand Run at Buckhannon reached its highest level on record back to at least 1950, peaking at major flood stage likely for the first time on record. Additionally, at least two other gauges in central West Virginia reached one of their 10 highest levels on record (based on preliminary data). Floodwaters inundated roads and buildings, resulting in evacuations, water rescues, and at least two deaths. Reports also noted disruptions to cell phone, internet, and 911 services.
• July 28 to 29 – The Northeast experienced more severe weather and flash flooding. There were six tornadoes—five in Maryland and one in New York—which snapped or uprooted numerous trees and damaged roofs of a few buildings. Anne Arundel and Talbot Counties in Maryland had three tornadoes and two tornadoes, respectively, their greatest number of tornadoes in a day since records began in 1950 (based on preliminary data). A 2.50-inch hailstone was observed in Dorchester County, Maryland, one of the largest hailstones reported in the county since records began in 1950. Extreme amounts of rain, between 4 and 12 inches, fell in several areas including portions of eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, southeastern New York, and southern New England. Two sites in southeastern New York, Schodack and Kinderhook, measured two-day rainfall totals of 11.79 inches and 11.47 inches, respectively, qualifying as 1,000-year storm events. July 29 became the wettest July day on record for Albany, New York, with 5.45 inches of rain and Worcester, Massachusetts, with 4.56 inches. It also ranked as the second wettest day for any month on record for Albany. Flash flooding ensued, submerging roads and vehicles, inundating and damaging buildings, and resulting in evacuations and dozens of water rescues. There was at least one storm-related fatality.