Summer in April? Record-smashing heat wave to scorch eastern US

Hello, summer?

Record heat is forecast for portions of the eastern United States this week, with summerlike temperatures soaring into the 80s and even 90s in places such as Washington, DC, and Atlanta by mid-week, according to an online forecast from Weather.com.

AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski agreed, noting that "a surge of very warm air will develop early this week, giving tens of millions an early taste of summer and the first heat wave of 2026 for the East."

And according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Prediction Center, "high temperatures well into the 80s will begin to challenge daily records in the east-central U.S. by Tuesday afternoon, [April 14]. By Wednesday morning, [April 15] record warm temperatures will be widespread from the east-central U.S. to New England."

Temperatures in the 80s and 90s for millions

We could see the first 90 degree days of 2026 in many cities, Weather.com predicts, including Atlanta, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Raleigh, North Carolina.

In Washington, DC, highs should reach the 90s Tuesday, April 14 through Thursday, April 16, when temperatures could match or break daily record highs, AccuWeather said.

Temperatures could approach 90 in Philadelphia Wednesday, April 15, potentially breaking a record from the 1940s if thunderstorms hold off.

Highs are forecast to be in the 80s in New York City both Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15, according to AccuWeather.

In all, some 204 million Americans will see temperatures of at least 80 degrees on Tuesday, April 14, said Weather Trader meteorologist Ryan Maue in an email to USA TODAY.

A Bermuda High — a common summertime weather pattern — is responsible for bringing the unusual warmth into the eastern U.S., the Weather Prediction Center said.

The Bermuda High is a large, semi‑permanent high‑pressure system over the North Atlantic Ocean, usually centered near Bermuda in summer and early fall (and usually closer to the Azores in winter and spring). the National Weather Service said. It helps pump hot, often humid air into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S.

Hot temps, drought to increase wildfire risk

As temperatures rise this week, the risk of wildfires will also increase, AccuWeather's Sosnowski said.

"The combination of sunshine, gusty breezes and dry air will create near-ideal conditions for ignition and rapid fire spread," he said.

He added that the drought that has been lingering over the winter and into the spring will get worse in many areas of the mainland Southeast this week.

Amid hot temperatures, forecasters reminded folks to hydrate, limit time outdoors, rest in the shade and never leave children or pets in the car.

An end in sight after record warm March

As is typical of spring, there is an end to the heat wave in sight, Weather.com said. Computer models suggest another weather pattern change by the weekend, bringing relief from the extreme heat.

Overall, these warming temperatures along the East Coast follow the hottest March in the contiguous United States since records began more than 130 years ago.

USA TODAY reported that March temperatures followed a record-breaking 12-month period, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information, part of the NOAA.

Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver and Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY

Doyle Rice is a national correspondent for USA TODAY, with a focus on weather and climate.