US Upper Midwest Climate – June 2026 Update
Top States: Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa
This month in numbers
The US Upper Midwest experienced a significantly warmer June 2026, with a 1-month anomaly of +0.66°C compared to the 1961–1990 average. The warming trend is even more pronounced over longer periods, with a 3-month anomaly of +0.59°C and a 12-month rolling anomaly of +1.56°C. Globally, June 2026 was the second-warmest June on record for combined land and ocean temperatures.
Hottest & coolest US states
Within the US Upper Midwest, Michigan led the warming this month with an anomaly of +0.90°C US Michigan, followed closely by Wisconsin at +0.71°C US Wisconsin. Minnesota also saw above-average temperatures at +0.65°C US Minnesota. While no states in the Upper Midwest were notably cool, Montana to the west experienced a significant cool anomaly of -1.12°C.
What's driving change?
June saw a combination of extreme weather events across the US Upper Midwest. A powerful heat dome settled over the central US towards the end of June, bringing dangerous and potentially record-setting temperatures to the region. This heatwave led to widespread cancellations of outdoor activities and the opening of cooling centres across the Midwest. This heat followed a historically dry May for parts of the Upper Midwest, with Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan all recording one of their top 10 driest Mays since 1895, contributing to drought expansion. Additionally, the region experienced significant severe weather, with 374 preliminary tornado reports in June, including historic activity across the Midwest.
Looking ahead
The latest NOAA Climate Prediction Center outlook indicates a higher likelihood of above-normal temperatures across the Upper Midwest through mid-July.
Generated by Gemini from climate data and web sources
At a Glance
Temperature – Average
Climate Map – USA
Source: NOAA Climate at a Glance — US states & climate regions (tavg, pcp). Anomalies are vs the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) or 1991–2020 (rainfall). See methodology.
Hottest & Coolest in US Upper Midwest this Month
1-month anomaly vs 1961–1990 across the 4 members we cover. Click a name to open its profile.
Member States
Year-on-Year Trends
The 4byo Climate Helix – US Upper Midwest
NOAA Climate at a Glance — regional tavg / pcp (monthly absolutes).
US Upper Midwest – Monthly Temperature – All Years
NOAA Climate at a Glance — regional tavg / pcp (monthly absolutes).
Records – US Upper Midwest
NOAA Climate at a Glance - regional tavg / pcp - Anomalies vs 1901-2000 mean
Shifting Seasons
Warm / cold seasonsHow spring and autumn have shifted in US Upper Midwest. Spring is defined as the date monthly temperatures first rise above the long-term annual mean (6.0°C, from 1950–1979); autumn is the date they fall back below it. Temperature swings 32.3°C peak-to-peak across the year - a classic four-seasons rhythm.
Baseline vs recent monthly temperature climatology. Biggest warming: Jan (+3.4°C).
NOAA Climate at a Glance — regional tavg. Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
Rainfall & Rain Days – Totals
Emissions & Energy
Explore
Explore Climate Data
Data Sources
Data Sources for US Upper Midwest
Every figure on this page is sourced from official, openly published climate datasets. Anomalies are calculated against the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) and 1991–2020 (rainfall, sunshine, frost) - see the Methodology & Sources page for the complete dataset list and update calendar.
FAQs
FAQs
How is the climate in US Upper Midwest changing?
US Upper Midwest is warming in line with the rest of the world. The page above shows the latest monthly temperature anomaly versus the 1961-1990 baseline, the long-term annual trend, and the region's rank in the historical record. The headline panel also shows the long-term trend rate per decade and the warmest and coolest years on file.
Where does the climate data for US Upper Midwest come from?
Climate data for US Upper Midwest comes from authoritative climate datasets including national meteorological services and peer-reviewed reanalyses, refreshed every month, when the upstream temperature and rainfall data are refreshed.
What is the climate baseline used on this page?
Anomalies on this page are calculated against the 1961-1990 climatological baseline, which is the standard reference period used by the Met Office, NOAA, IPCC and most national climate services. Some panels also show the source-native 1901-2000 (NOAA) or 1991-2020 (WMO) baselines for verification. See Methodology & Sources for the full reference.
Which areas does the US Upper Midwest climate data cover?
The US Upper Midwest climate profile covers Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and surrounding areas. NOAA Upper Midwest - IA, MI, MN, WI
How often is the US Upper Midwest climate update refreshed?
The US Upper Midwest climate update is refreshed monthly, typically a few days after the previous month closes and the upstream provider (Met Office HadUK-Grid, NOAA Climate at a Glance, Copernicus ERA5 or the Global Carbon Project) publishes its update. See the Climate Rankings for cross-region comparisons.