2 min read- Both Memorial Day and Labor Day will fall to their latest extremes, extending summer by nearly a week in the United States.
- With the long summer season comes higher temperatures, according to The Farmer's Almanac, which predicts higher-than-average temperatures across North America.
- The states that will see the largest and highest temperature departures fall to the East and South, while the Heartlands will remain cooler for the season.
Though summer 2026 actually starts on June 21, now that we’re past Memorial Day, we’re considering this season unofficially kicked off. If you happen to love the warmest months of the year, we have some great news: This year’s summer (in the U.S., anyway) is slightly longer than usual. How is that possible? It’s all about where certain holidays fall on the calendar.
This year, Memorial Day landed on its earliest possible date, May 25, launching the season approximately three days earlier than average. Now, couple that with Labor Day falling on its latest possible date, September 7, and you have the makings for the longest possible summer run for the next decade or so, extending the usual 99 days to a whopping 106.
However, all good things come at a price. While we in the States will experience more summer nights, they are coming with warmer-than-normal temperatures, as The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a scorching, sunny season across much of North America. A large portion of the country is expected to trend hotter than normal, even in sunnier Southern states, where mid- to high-90-degree temperatures are the summer standard.
The warmer temperatures will also impact the eastern portion of the country, so if you were planning an East Coast escape to Maine beach towns, the Delaware Water Gap, or New York City’s Central Park’s bike path, you might want to pack extra SPF or even a parasol. The Almanac expects the greatest temperature spikes in July and August. In these two months, unusually warm conditions will become more widespread across North America.
If you’re hoping to escape the heat, plan a getaway to the Upper Midwest or the Heartland, as both regions are expected to run cooler than the seasonal norms, featuring more mixed patterns and a greater potential for rain. So, whether you plan to soak up the sun or outrun the rays, take that extra week between Memorial Day and Labor Day and make the most of this summer.
