With the recent extreme winter weather conditions, from negative temperatures to excessive inches of snow, the 2026 summer season is predicted to be one of the top four hottest summers in Ohio due to extreme contrast in temperatures.

   Olentangy schools faced one full week of no school due to 14 inches of snow, multiple below zero temperature delays, and snowy days all the way into March. These conditions will result in summer feeling extra warm since our bodies have gotten used to an experience of such cold weather.

   “We deserve a hot summer, winter has dragged on for so long and I just want to start tanning,” Gianna Rizek ‘28 said.

   Summer is seen as a time to get tan and hang with friends until the sun sets, but research suggests the opposite.

   Areas further south will face extreme temperatures and may experience drought and wildfires. 

   With this, meteorologists say areas in the south west will experience heat consequences. Scientists warn that extreme weather patterns will start to become more common, as colder winters and hotter summers have become more frequent. However, Ohio is expected to average around 90 degrees each day with the UV average of seven to ten, which creates the perfect weather for outdoor activities. 

   “Even though Ohio won’t face the same intensity as the southwest, people need to respect the heat,” Mike Patterson said, a climatologist at Ohio State University. “Extended exposure to high temperatures can be dangerous, particularly for children, the elderly, and anyone with pre-existing health conditions.”

   Expect a long summer season of sunburns and hot days, a warm welcome after months of snow and cold. Make sure to apply sunscreen this summer and drink plenty of water, as meteorologists warn that with climate change comes frequency. The extreme 2026 summer weather predictions may become the new normal for all future summers to come.