1980 United States heat wave

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The 1980 United States heat wave is among the most devastating natural disasters in terms of deaths and destruction in U.S. history. The heat wave claimed anywhere between 1,250 and 10,000 lives. Also because of the massive drought, agricultural damage estimates neared US$44 billion (1998 dollars). It is among the billion-dollar weather disasters listed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A strong high pressure ridge in the central and southern United States allowed temperatures to soar to 90°F (32°C) almost every day from June to September. The drought was also caused for this particular reason.

In Kansas City, Missouri, the high temperature went below 90 only twice and soared above the century mark (100°F, 38°C) for 17 days straight. In Memphis, Tennessee, the temperature reached an all-time high of 108°F (42°C) on July 13, 1980, part of a 15-day stretch of temperatures above 100°F that lasted from July 6-20, 1980.

In Dallas, Texas, high temperatures exceeded 100°F for 69 days between June 23 and September 6. Dallas reached an all-time high on June 26 and 27, soaring to 113°F (45°C) on both days. In the summer of 1980 in Dallas, there were 29 days that either tied or broke records for those respective dates. Wichita Falls, Texas would hit 119°F (48°C), the second-highest temperature ever recorded in Texas.

On the northern rim of the high pressure ridge, several severe long-lived windstorms called derechos formed. The most notable was the "More Trees Down" Derecho that occurred on July 5. It raced from eastern Nebraska to Virginia in 15 hours, killing 6 and injuring about 70. The Western Wisconsin Derecho of July 15 caused extensive property damage.