Extreme Heat’s Growing Impact on American Lives

Elisa Bracamonte has been a lifelong Arizona resident, familiar with arranging her schedule and outdoor activities around the intense summer heat. Yet, at 74, Bracamonte, a retired nurse from Tucson, notes the escalating heat increasingly affects her daily experiences. This includes family gatherings across the region, meetups with friends, road trips, and her morning walks. “I’ve noticed at least a 10-degree increase,” she mentioned, “Every summer, it feels hotter.”

Bracamonte’s experience reflects a broader trend among Americans. A recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates more Americans feel the personal impact of extreme heat. This influence extends to travel plans, electricity bills, sleep schedules, and outdoor activities more so than in mid-2024, particularly for those living in the West and Midwest. Democrats, more than Republicans, report these changes significantly affect their lives.

In recent years, the earth’s climate has seen record heat levels. Scientists identified 2025’s average temperature among the highest, comparable to 2024 and 2023. The U.S. has endured dangerous heat conditions contributing to a rise in heat-related deaths, now more than any other weather-related event. Such conditions increase wildfire risk, strain infrastructure, devastate agriculture, and disrupt public events.

“I have to get up at 5 in the morning to walk before 6, because by 7 it’s already in the 80s,” Bracamonte shared, identifying as a liberal Democrat. “Without constantly drinking water, staying outside can make you sick – it’s incredibly hot.”

The rising heat also elevates electricity costs. About 80% of Americans have noticed a “major” or “minor” impact on their electricity bills, a rise from 69% in 2024. Nearly half of Midwest residents report a “major” impact, up from 29% two years prior. As Daemien Williams from Cahokia Heights, Illinois, notes, “Utility costs seem to have doubled in recent years.” This shift contributes to the political conversation, as more energy is consumed for cooling in summer or heating in winter.

Additionally, the survey reveals around 40% of Americans say travel and vacation plans have suffered due to the extreme heat, an increase from a quarter in 2024. Bracamonte relates, “My family gatherings, involving trips to Texas and across Arizona, are now disrupted by fires and floods.” Such weather patterns enhance wildfire risk and potentiate more severe storms.

Family activities have also taken a hit, with about 70% of Americans acknowledging heat’s impact, a significant rise from 60% in 2024. Sean Conway from Massachusetts finds his children’s sports often postponed, though considers this a minor inconvenience, stating, “Sometimes, you have to endure difficult weather.”

Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist, suggests that Americans feeling the heat isn’t surprising. Many regions, especially in the West and Midwest, face more prolonged, intense heatwaves. These conditions challenge health directly and affect finances indirectly.

Despite these impacts, beliefs about climate change remain relatively stable. While two-thirds of Americans acknowledge climate change, this is a slight decline from previous figures. Daemien Williams attributes fluctuating weather patterns’ severity, like increased flooding, to both natural and human factors. In Waco, Texas, John Hazel observes, “What was rare now happens regularly. Seasons seem longer and less balanced.” Hazel, a conservative Republican, plans around the heat, highlighting the adjustments he makes for comfort.

In summary, the poll conducted July 23-27, 2026, surveyed 1,165 adults via NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel, representative of the U.S. population. The sampling error margin is ±3.7 percentage points.