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Aerial firefighting crews are feeling the heat in a tough wildfire year

The grid's extreme heat problem is changing

Air travel's summer of disruption

Wildfires become a grid planning challenge

A collateral crisis that really grates

The U.S. just had its hottest month on record

A line chart shows average temperature for July in the contiguous U.S. from 1895 to 2026. The chart shows a general upward trend, increasing notably since the late 20th century. The projected temperature for July 2026 is 76.9°F, slightly above the historical average.

Average July temperature in the contiguous U.S.

Reproduced from NOAA; Chart: Axios Visuals

School's back already? Maybe, maybe not

A choropleth map showing U.S. public school start dates before August 16. Darker-shaded states indicate a higher percentage of schools starting early, with most of the Southeast and part of the Southwest starting before this date. Lighter shades represent states with fewer schools starting before August 16, including several Northeast states with no schools opening prior to that date.

Share of schools open before August 16

Data: MDR Education; Map: Brad Jennings/Axios. Note: Includes public schools. Does not include year-round schools.

More Americans say extreme heat is affecting their lives

A chart shows the share of U.S. adults who said extreme heat has a minor or major impact on select parts of daily life in 2024 and 2026. Every aspect shown has risen, with "your electricity bill" being the highest indicator with 80% saying they've felt impacts there, up 11% since 2024. Other aspects include outdoor activity, exercise, sleep, pets, vacation, work and planning for events.

Share who say extreme heat is impacting select parts of daily life

Generate

Axios Generate

Climate change is fueling wildfire risk — and anxiety

How America is adapting to climate extremes

Back to Energy & Climate

Tropical storms, tornadoes and flooding are among the extreme weather events causing destruction around the world.

Extreme weather

Extreme weather coverage from Axios

Nuclear

Energy & climate policy

Climate change

Renewables

Electric vehicles

Breaking climate science and policy coverage as extreme weather events reshape communities. Keep tabs on the race to a low carbon economy, which may be bumpy as governments, climate tech startups and major oil and gas companies race to find their niche amid the changing energy landscape.

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