Elisa Bracamonte, a lifelong Arizona resident, has adapted her life around the state’s high temperatures. A retired nurse from Tucson, Bracamonte, 74, finds extreme heat increasingly affecting her daily routine. Family gatherings, road trips, and even her morning walks have become challenging. “I’ve noticed at least a 10 degree difference in the weather,” Bracamonte remarked. “Every summer seems hotter.” This experience is echoed by many, as a new AP-NORC poll indicates.
The poll reveals that U.S. adults feel a significant impact from extreme heat on aspects of their lives such as travel plans, electricity bills, and outdoor activities. More people, particularly in the West and Midwest, report this influence compared to July 2024. Political opinions also play a role, with Democrats more likely to cite a major impact.
Scientifically, global warming remains a pressing issue. Earth’s average temperatures in recent years rank among the hottest recorded: 2023, 2024, and 2025. The U.S. experiences this through dangerous heat domes and abnormal temperatures during traditionally cooler months.
The scorching weather has proven deadly, contributing to thousands of heat-related fatalities each year. Heatwaves impact wildfire risks, strain infrastructure, damage agriculture, and affect events like sports.
Bracamonte further shared her experience, “I have to get up at 5 am to walk before 6, because by 7 it’s already in the 80s. I lose sleep due to earlier mornings. Staying outside without constant hydration feels impossible.”
The poll highlights rising electricity bills as a key issue, with about 8 in 10 Americans noticing an impact from extreme heat in the last year, up from 69% in July 2024. In the Midwest, 44% report a major impact on their bills, an increase from 29% two years ago.
Rising energy costs have become politically significant. Although extreme weather is a factor, increased air conditioning or heating use also plays a role.
Daemien Williams from Cahokia Heights, Illinois, remarked, “My utility costs probably doubled in recent years. I scrutinize my bills and see both usage and rates rising.”
Extreme heat also disrupts travel, vacation plans, and family activities. About 4 in 10 Americans say their plans are impacted, up from one-quarter in 2024. Bracamonte noted that family gatherings are affected by heightened wildfire risks and storm-induced flooding.
About 7 in 10 Americans report heat impacting their family’s outdoor activities, an increase from 6 in 10 in 2024. Sean Conway from North Shore, Massachusetts, finds his children’s soccer practice may be postponed or canceled due to heat. As a moderate independent with Republican leanings, he considers these minor issues: “Sometimes, you’ve got to just be out in the bad weather.”
Climate scientist Jennifer Francis, uninvolved in the poll, stated, “Brutal, life-threatening heatwaves have become more frequent, intense, and persistent globally, affecting health directly and impacting finances indirectly.”
Despite increased heat impacts, belief in climate change remains stable. About 66% of Americans acknowledge climate change, a slight drop from 73% in 2025. Around 17% remain unsure, and 15% deny it entirely.
Williams attributes his belief in climate change to extreme weather variations, including temperature extremes and frequent flooding. John Hazel from Waco, Texas, recalls, “When I was a kid, 100-degree days were rare. Now, it’s common. Seasons are less balanced.” Hazel, a conservative Republican, plans around the heat, noting more frequent breaks and showers.
The recent poll involved 1,165 adults between July 23-27, 2026, from the AmeriSpeak Panel. The margin of error is approximately 3.7 percentage points.
Reporter Alexa St. John can be reached at [email protected], and more climate coverage is available through AP’s efforts, supported by private foundations.
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