July 2026 Climate Summary

Overview and Graphics

July 2026 Climate Review:

Temperatures ranged from near normal to slightly above normal. The month started off with a brutal heat wave that continued through the 4th of July holiday with heat index readings ranging from 105 to 110. The period from July 6th through 13th featured temperatures that were slightly below normal with highs primarily in the mid to upper 80s. Temperatures began flirting with 90 again by the 14th and heat index readings jumped back above 100 by the 17th. The heat intensified further July 19th through 21st. Many locations observed heat index readings ranging from 110 to 120, and even localized readings to 125 on the 21st thanks to near record humidity levels (dew points in the low 80s). Cooler air and lower humidity descended across our area from the 22nd through 24th with highs ranging from the upper 70s to lower 80s. Another heatwave followed from the 26th through 28th, with heat index readings once again ranging from 105 to 115. Record humidity levels (dew points in the low to mid 80s) produced heat index readings over 120 in some areas on the 26th including Cape Girardeau which hit 121 (tied for their 3rd highest heat index on record). Cape Girardeau observed a dew point of 85 degrees that day, breaking their all-time highest dew point on record which was previously 83. Evansville and Paducah tied their all-time highest dew points of 81 and 82 respectively. The month ended with temperatures slightly below normal with highs in the mid to upper 80s on the 29th and 30th and only in the upper 70s to mid 80s on the 31st due to extensive cloud cover and rain.

Precipitation was wetter than normal across the majority of our region, with most areas receiving anywhere from 5 to 10” which was generally 1 to 6” above normal. Localized higher amounts in excess of 10” occurred with at least one station in 8 different counties picking up this much. Paducah, Cape Girardeau, and Carbondale registered their 6th, 3rd, and 3rd wettest July on record respectively. The highest observed amount in our forecast area was 13.45” at a CoCoRaHS station in Jackson County, Illinois (Carbondale 3.7 S). While the vast majority of the region finished wetter than normal, there were small pockets along our western and northern fringes that were drier. Portions of Ripley and Carter Counties in Missouri, Jefferson and Wabash Counties in Illinois, and Gibson and Vanderburgh Counties in Indiana were among those that largely missed out on the heavier rains and ended up finishing 1 to 2.5” drier than normal.

July was another very active month with numerous days experiencing severe thunderstorms and flash flooding. We issued a total of 145 combined warnings (Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, and Flash Flood) for our 58 county forecast area, which is the 2nd most on record for July (only behind the 228 warnings issued in July 2023). There were 15 different days this month in which at least one warning was issued, including a stretch of 10 straight days from the 2nd through 11th!

Monthly Summary

Monthly Climate Report: Paducah  |  Evansville  |  Cape Girardeau  |  Poplar Bluff  |  Carbondale

Records

Record Event Reports: Paducah  |  Evansville  |  Cape Girardeau  |  Poplar Bluff  |  Carbondale

# of Warnings Issued - July 2026 (Click on images to enlarge)

The graphics below show all of the severe thunderstorm, tornado, and flash flood warnings issued across our 58 county forecast area in July 2026. Our office issued 145 combined warnings (Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, and Flash Flood) which is the 2nd most on record for the month of July (record is 228 in July 2023).

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings - County Based	Severe Thunderstorm Warnings - Polygon Based
Tornado Warnings - County Based	Tornado Warnings - Polygon Based
Flash Flood Warnings - County Based	Flash Flood Warnings - Polygon Based

Extreme Rainfall in July 2026