A City-by-City Look at U.S. Forecasts for the Fourth of July

The Washington Post

17:22 JST, July 3, 2025

With the Fourth of July days away, the forecast is coming into focus. For much of the country, the weather will be relatively pleasant for this time of year.

The hottest spots should include portions of the Midwest, the South and the Southwest. Readings will top out in the 90s and 100s in those locations.

A zone including Chicago, Minneapolis and Des Moines will feel the brunt of a combination of heat and humidity that is above average for the date. That area is expecting highs in a range of 90 to 95, with the National Weather Service HeatRisk outlook warning of Level 3 out of 4 impacts for much of the region.

Rain is expected to be a threat at time for areas in the northern Rockies, the Plains, the Upper Midwest and Florida in particular. Additional scattered activity is possible, although the recent cold front clearing the East Coast will help keep it limited.

Some downpours could be heavy with the potential for isolated flooding from Montana into Wyoming and Kansas to Minnesota during the late day and evening. Rain in Florida along the cold front, and enhanced by a tropical disturbance, may be concentrated Thursday through Friday before tapering late on Independence Day.

Here are the forecasts for several cities across the contiguous United States.

Atlanta

Sunshine will dominate the day as high temperatures reach the low 90s. Evening temperatures will be falling through the 80s, with mainly clear skies persisting into the night.

Chicago

This will be one of the hot spots for the Fourth, with high temperatures reaching the moderately muggy mid-90s, which will feel more like 100. Upper 80s to low 90s may still be common around fireworks time. Skies are mainly clear, other than perhaps some wildfire smoke aloft.

Dallas

Plan on partial sunshine during the day and some additional cloudiness into the night. There will be a slight chance of a storm, with better odds over western Texas. Highs should reach the low and mid-90s, and readings should fall off to the 80s during the evening. The daytime heat index will be around 100.

Denver

Lots of sun with bubbling afternoon clouds that could pop off a storm or two late in the day through about mid-evening. Mid-80s to near 90 for highs, then into the 70s and 60s overnight.

Los Angeles

Some morning fog, especially at the shore, will give way to sunny afternoon skies. Highs will rise toward the low to mid-80s downtown and nearer 70 at the coast.

New Orleans

Typical summer with partial sunshine, heat and humidity. Highs will make it to about 93 in the city. 80s near and after sunset; feeling 90 or higher through midnight.

New York City

Wall-to-wall sunshine and low humidity for July will be quite the combination for revelers in the Big Apple. Low to mid-80s should do it for highs. Falling into the 70s near sunset.

Omaha

A good deal of sun through the day, giving way to more clouds in the afternoon heat. Low to mid-90s for highs before scattered storms develop and move through the region during the evening or overnight.

Orlando

Plenty of clouds will help moderate temperatures somewhat, with highs in the mid-80s to about 90. Those clouds should drop occasional rain during the day and into the night, some of which could be heavy.

Phoenix

It’s summer in the hottest city. Toasty, but comparatively decent given highs near or a bit below average. A high around 104 degrees will be accompanied by lots of sun. Evening temperatures will fall through the 90s.

Seattle

This may be the winner for July 4 weather, overall. Sunshine and low to mid-70s during the day. Consider layering up for evening activities as 60s take over under mainly clear skies.

Washington

The nation’s capital can expect mid- to upper 80s for highs and moderate humidity with abundant rays from sunrise to sunset. It will be right around 80 for fireworks at the tail end of dusk.