The United States’ scorching summer of 2026 was a record-breaker, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Sept. 9.
Hickory, NC
Right Now
92°
Sunny
- Humidity: 48%
- Feels Like: 99°
- Heat Index: 99°
- Wind: 4 mph
- Wind Chill: 92°
- UV Index: 8 Very High
- Sunrise: 07:10:15 AM
- Sunset: 07:27:59 PM
- Dew Point: 69°
- Visibility: 10 mi
Today
Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 93F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Tonight
Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.
Tomorrow
Cloudy early with partial sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds light and variable.
Next 12 Hours
Time
Temp
Wind
Precip
1 PM
92°
4 mph
9%
1 PM
92°
Wind: NNW @ 4 mph
Precip: 9% Chance
Humidity: 47%
Wind Chill: 92°
Heat Index: 99°
UV Index: 8 Very High
Visibility: 10 mi
Dew Point: 69°
2 PM
93°
4 mph
34%
2 PM
93°
Wind: NW @ 4 mph
Precip: 34% Chance
Humidity: 46%
Wind Chill: 93°
Heat Index: 99°
UV Index: 7 High
Visibility: 9 mi
Dew Point: 69°
3 PM
91°
5 mph
24%
3 PM
91°
Wind: NW @ 5 mph
Precip: 24% Chance
Humidity: 49%
Wind Chill: 91°
Heat Index: 98°
UV Index: 5 Moderate
Visibility: 10 mi
Dew Point: 69°
4 PM
87°
4 mph
22%
4 PM
87°
Wind: NNW @ 4 mph
Precip: 22% Chance
Humidity: 57%
Wind Chill: 87°
Heat Index: 93°
UV Index: 3 Moderate
Visibility: 10 mi
Dew Point: 70°
5 PM
85°
3 mph
30%
5 PM
85°
Wind: NNW @ 3 mph
Precip: 30% Chance
Humidity: 61%
Wind Chill: 85°
Heat Index: 91°
UV Index: 2 Low
Visibility: 9 mi
Dew Point: 70°
6 PM
84°
4 mph
54%
6 PM
84°
Wind: NNW @ 4 mph
Precip: 54% Chance
Humidity: 64%
Wind Chill: 84°
Heat Index: 90°
UV Index: 0 Low
Visibility: 7 mi
Dew Point: 71°
7 PM
80°
4 mph
46%
7 PM
80°
Wind: N @ 4 mph
Precip: 46% Chance
Humidity: 73%
Wind Chill: 80°
Heat Index: 85°
UV Index: 0 Low
Visibility: 7 mi
Dew Point: 71°
8 PM
78°
2 mph
13%
8 PM
78°
Wind: NNW @ 2 mph
Precip: 13% Chance
Humidity: 78%
Wind Chill: 78°
Heat Index: 82°
UV Index: 0 Low
Visibility: 10 mi
Dew Point: 70°
9 PM
76°
1 mph
18%
9 PM
76°
Wind: NNW @ 1 mph
Precip: 18% Chance
Humidity: 81%
Wind Chill: 76°
Heat Index: 80°
UV Index: 0 Low
Visibility: 10 mi
Dew Point: 70°
10 PM
75°
2 mph
16%
10 PM
75°
Wind: NNW @ 2 mph
Precip: 16% Chance
Humidity: 86%
Wind Chill: 75°
Heat Index: 79°
UV Index: 0 Low
Visibility: 10 mi
Dew Point: 71°
11 PM
74°
1 mph
14%
11 PM
74°
Wind: NNW @ 1 mph
Precip: 14% Chance
Humidity: 88%
Wind Chill: 74°
Heat Index: 77°
UV Index: 0 Low
Visibility: 9 mi
Dew Point: 70°
12 AM
73°
1 mph
14%
12 AM
73°
Wind: NNW @ 1 mph
Precip: 14% Chance
Humidity: 90%
Wind Chill: 73°
Heat Index: 76°
UV Index: 0 Low
Visibility: 7 mi
Dew Point: 70°
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- KEITH WEIR Reuters
Both July and August are on track to be the warmest on record, reflecting a trend of rising temperatures across the country.
- Sharon McBrayer
Temperatures are expected to be above normal through mid-September.
- Jeanine Santucci, Doyle Rice and Dinah Voyles Pulver USA Today
Tropical Storm Dolly has formed in the Atlantic, just days after music icon Dolly Parton's death, becoming the fourth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.
- USA Today Network
Western North Carolina and much of North America will be able to view a partial lunar eclipse tonight as the August full moon rises.
- Anna Roman The News & Observer (Raleigh)
For some, they’re simply fun to read. Others swear by the weather forecasts in the straw-colored cover of the Old Farmer’s Almanac, published annually since 1792.
- Brandi D. Addison USA TODAY NETWORK
As summer heat continues across much of the country, many people are already wondering what kind of winter is ahead.
- USA Today Network
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two more disturbances that could develop into tropical depressions or named systems in the coming days.
- Olivia Le Poidevin Reuters
* Heatwaves becoming more frequent, intense and longer, World Meteorological Organization says * Global warming and high-pressure systems driving Europe's heatwaves, not El Niño * Warm seas and
- Karissa Waddick USA Today
More than 20,000 people in southwest Canada and the western United States have fled their homes as wildfires, fueled by hot, dry weather, burn more than 3 million acres.
- Marta Serafinko Reuters
University of Delaware researchers are testing whether sharks equipped with sensors can serve as mobile near-real-time ocean-data observers.
- USA Today Network
It was never meant to be public, creator says.
- Janet Loehrke, Karina Zaiets and Ramon Padilla USA Today
Dangerously hot conditions will move west across the U.S. this week with temperatures surging to triple digits and an increased risk of wildfires and their accompanying toxic smoke.