National Weather ServiceHeat AdvisoryVTEC HT.YArchive to October 1, 2026
Heat Advisory: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 962 heat advisories in 2025 and 638 a year on average in 2008-2025; Texas, Arkansas and Florida got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 1,537, 143% above the average of 632 for those months in 2008-2025.
What is a heat advisory?
A heat advisory means heat that can make people ill, especially those without cooling, below the office's extreme heat warning values. An advisory is issued for a hazard less serious than a warning that can still cause inconvenience or danger if people are not careful.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many heat advisories a year?
National count: each heat advisory counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 1,537 |
| 2025 | 962 |
| 2024 | 1,480 |
| 2023 | 1,558 |
| 2022 | 1,080 |
| 2021 | 694 |
| 2020 | 647 |
| 2019 | 628 |
| 2018 | 594 |
| 2017 | 374 |
| 2016 | 529 |
| 2015 | 433 |
| 2014 | 169 |
| 2013 | 212 |
| 2012 | 510 |
| 2011 | 612 |
| 2010 | 631 |
| 2009 | 217 |
| 2008 | 159 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Which states get the most heat advisories?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A heat advisory covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 233 | 114 | 80 |
| Arkansas | 118 | 66 | 100 |
| Florida | 106 | 41 | 78 |
| Mississippi | 96 | 49 | 73 |
| Louisiana | 93 | 48 | 63 |
| Oklahoma | 91 | 49 | 59 |
| Puerto Rico | 78 | 22 | 82 |
| Kansas | 72 | 49 | 54 |
| Georgia | 58 | 36 | 68 |
| California | 54 | 30 | 46 |
| Alabama | 54 | 30 | 38 |
| Missouri | 53 | 42 | 44 |
| North Carolina | 48 | 37 | 59 |
| Nebraska | 41 | 24 | 37 |
| New Mexico | 35 | 15 | 20 |
| Iowa | 34 | 25 | 39 |
| New York | 34 | 22 | 41 |
| Tennessee | 33 | 21 | 26 |
| Illinois | 31 | 25 | 34 |
| South Carolina | 31 | 28 | 36 |
| Indiana | 28 | 21 | 34 |
| Kentucky | 27 | 20 | 27 |
| South Dakota | 24 | 14 | 32 |
| Minnesota | 23 | 16 | 34 |
| Ohio | 22 | 17 | 27 |
| Washington | 21 | 12 | 28 |
| Oregon | 21 | 12 | 27 |
| Virginia | 21 | 16 | 29 |
| Idaho | 19 | 7 | 21 |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | 13 | 21 |
| Connecticut | 18 | 12 | 22 |
| Maryland | 17 | 14 | 21 |
| Wisconsin | 16 | 11 | 19 |
| West Virginia | 15 | 10 | 19 |
| Montana | 13 | 5 | 10 |
| New Jersey | 12 | 10 | 13 |
| Nevada | 12 | 6 | 16 |
| Vermont | 11 | 5 | 11 |
| Colorado | 11 | 3 | 9 |
| Michigan | 11 | 8 | 17 |
| Maine | 11 | 5 | 11 |
| Massachusetts | 10 | 7 | 8 |
| New Hampshire | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Delaware | 7 | 6 | 9 |
| North Dakota | 7 | 4 | 7 |
| Utah | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| District of Columbia | 6 | 5 | 7 |
| Rhode Island | 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Wyoming | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Alaska | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Arizona | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.