Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan Finish October 2026 Among the Warmest on Record, With Many Districts Ranking 2nd or 3rd Warmest Since 1893
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA — October 2026 was an exceptionally warm month across much of the Midwest and Great Lakes, with average high temperatures ranking among the warmest in recorded history across a huge part of the region.
Several climate districts in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and nearby states finished with their 2nd or 3rd warmest October on record.
Data Covers 134 Years of Records Back to 1893
The rankings are based on Iowa Environmental Mesonet (IEM) climate district estimates dating back to 1893. Each district is ranked from 1, the hottest, to 134, the coolest, across 134 years of data.
The analysis covers the period from about 7 a.m. on September 30 through about 7 a.m. on October 30, 2026.
Illinois and Indiana Lead the Way With 2nd and 3rd Warmest Rankings
| State | Typical District Rankings |
|---|---|
| Illinois | Mostly 2nd to 3rd warmest |
| Indiana | Mostly 3rd warmest, a few 2nd |
| Iowa | Mostly 2nd to 4th warmest |
| Wisconsin | About 2nd to 6th warmest |
| Missouri | About 2nd to 8th warmest |
Large parts of Illinois and Indiana are shaded in the darkest red on the map, showing some of the most extreme warmth in the region.
Ohio and Michigan Also Rank Near the Top
- Western Ohio: about 3rd to 6th warmest
- Eastern Ohio: about 5th to 11th warmest
- Lower Michigan: about 6th to 9th warmest
- Upper Michigan: about 5th to 15th warmest
Minnesota and Kentucky See Top-10 Warmth
- Eastern Minnesota: about 3rd to 10th warmest
- Kentucky: many districts around 2nd to 10th warmest
- Northern Tennessee: some districts near 2nd warmest
Northeast Runs Warm but Not as Extreme
Farther east, the warmth was still notable but less extreme:
- Pennsylvania: about 11th to 25th warmest
- New York: about 10th to 32nd warmest
- Maryland and Virginia: a mix of about 6th to 40th warmest
Northern and Central Plains Mostly Top 25
To the west, the Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas also ran warm, with most districts ranking between about 6th and 25th warmest, and a few in the Dakotas as high as 36th to 40th.
Colorado and Wyoming Stand Out as the Exception
The High Plains and Rockies were the least warm on the map. Some districts in Colorado and Wyoming ranked between about 28th and 69th, with one district reaching 88th, meaning those areas were closer to normal compared to the rest of the region.
Why This October’s Warmth Is So Impressive
What stands out is not just how warm it was, but how widespread the warmth was. From Minnesota to Kentucky and from Iowa to Ohio, district after district landed in the top three warmest Octobers in more than 130 years of records.
A Persistent Warm Fall Across the Midwest
The record-setting October adds to an already persistent warm pattern across the region this fall. Many areas have dealt with long dry spells and above-normal temperatures for weeks.
What Warm Falls Can Mean
Unusually warm autumn weather can lead to:
- Delayed fall foliage and late leaf drop
- Extended growing seasons for some plants
- Lower early heating costs for homeowners
- Longer outdoor activity seasons
Outlook: Pattern Change Arrives in Early November
As November begins, a more active and cooler pattern is expected to arrive, with storm systems and cooler air moving through parts of the Midwest.
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