Things are Heating Up in Wyoming!

               On the weekend of July 10^th through July 12^th, 2026, a heatwave started in Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. This heatwave proved to break many temperature records for Wyoming. On July 11^th and July 12^th, the Sheridan Airport in Wyoming reported a maximum temperature of 102 °F and 109 °F, respectively. The Worland Airport reported a maximum temperature of 105 °F and 110 °F for July 11^th and July 12^th, respectively. For both places, maximum temperatures were at least 10 – 15 °F above normal.

The above map shows maximum temperatures for July 11^th and July 12^th. While the hottest temperatures were in Montana, the heatwave’s impacts were felt in north central Wyoming, northwest South Dakota, and western North Dakota. On July 11^th, Rapid City Airport had a maximum temperature of 102 °F on July 11^th, 2026. Though this was 16 °F above normal, it is still 2 °F short of the record temperature (104 °F in 1973). Medora, ND, experienced maximum temperatures of 101 °F and 108 °F for July 11^th and July 12^th, respectively. In addition to having the maximum temperature break records, the readings were around 20 °F to 27 °F above normal, respectively.

Looking at the above map, maximum temperatures were at least 9 °F above normal from northern Wyoming to central North and South Dakota, with maximum temperatures that were at least 15 °F above normal in northwest South Dakota and southwest North Dakota. Medora, ND, experienced maximum temperatures of 101 °F and 108 °F for July 11^th and July 12^th, respectively. In addition to breaking records for both days, these temperatures were around 20 °F to 27 °F above normal maximum temperatures. Other places in Wyoming that were affected by the heatwave include Story and Big Horn, which experienced maximum temperatures of 95 °F and 99 °F, respectively, on July 12^th. Despite not reaching the 100s, these cities still had maximum temperatures that were at least 15 °F above normal.