Experts are forecasting a summer of unprecedented heat across the United States in 2026, cautioning that temperatures could surpass historical averages. This prediction is rooted in recent climate trends, including the unseasonably warm March temperatures, which scientists believe signal a year-round exacerbation of climate change impacts. Researchers from UCLA are closely monitoring the El Niño phenomenon, a natural warming of ocean waters, which is expected to amplify heat-related events throughout the country. Climate scientist Alex Hall points out that the rising global temperature baseline makes persistent and severe heat waves increasingly likely.