U.S. Summer Season to Run 106 Days in 2026

The unofficial summer season, measured from Memorial Day to Labor Day, will last 106 days in 2026. That is seven days longer than last year and the maximum length possible until 2037. New York City meteorologist John Davitt stated the dates result from the earliest possible Memorial Day and the latest possible Labor Day. He posted the information on the social media platform X.

Climatological summer begins June 1 and runs through August 31. Astronomical summer begins at the June solstice and ends at the September equinox. The unofficial summer season used by many Americans starts on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. Davitt noted that the longer stretch means additional days for outdoor activities along with higher chances of heat-related illness, tick exposure, and severe storms.

AccuWeather forecasters said temperatures are expected to run at or above average across nearly all regions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated that an El Niño pattern is likely to reduce overall Atlantic hurricane activity, though officials still urge preparation for major storms.

Dr. Neil Jacobs, NOAA’s administrator, told reporters last week that a single landfalling hurricane can cause major damage even in a below-average season. The agency also warned of elevated flash-flood risk in parts of Texas, the Plains, Mississippi Valley, and Ohio Valley.

Climate Central reported that human-caused climate change is contributing to longer and hotter summers. The group linked the trend to increased wildfire potential in the Northwest and Great Basin.