Active weather is expected across the central and south-central United States with additional rounds of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and severe weather.
Meanwhile, heat will persist across the Southwest to South Texas and much of Florida, while temperatures build across the inland valleys of California.
Cooler than average temperatures are forecasted for the Plains and large portions of the eastern U.S. through early this weekend.
The tumultuous weather pattern driving several rounds of robust thunderstorms will continue across much of the central and south-central United States. Ingredients for severe weather include an upper trough with embedded shortwaves crossing the Rockies, multiple frontal boundaries draped across the Great Plains, and ample atmospheric moisture lifting northward from the western Gulf of Mexico. A reemerging dryline over the southern High Plains will contribute to strong storms, potentially featuring large hail and damaging wind gusts, primarily impacting the Texas Panhandle and parts of west Texas. There’s also a broader risk for isolated severe weather across much of the central and southern Plains, with the potential for intense rainfall rates leading to flash flooding, particularly across the central/southern Plains and ArkLaTex region. The active weather and clusters of redeveloping thunderstorms are expected to gradually shift eastward on Friday as an area of low pressure pushes across the Red River Valley of the South. Additional chances for damaging wind gusts and large hail exist across central and eastern Texas, as well as into the Lower Mississippi Valley. Flash flooding remains a concern for the southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley. Wet weather is anticipated to expand at the start of the weekend, with thunderstorm chances stretching from the Ohio/Tennessee valleys to the Great Plains.
High temperatures below average are expected over the central U.S. due to the storminess, while a potent high pressure system over the Lower Great Lakes and Ohio Valley will bring refreshing afternoon temperatures in the 70s for large sections of the Eastern United States. Summer heat will persist across the Southwest and Southern Tier, with muggy highs into the mid-90s forecasted for central/southern Florida Peninsula until a cold front arrives on Saturday, offering some relief. Upper 90s and low 100s are anticipated from the Southwest to far western and southern Texas through the weekend. Heat will also build further north into the Great Basin and interior California valleys, though not quite warm enough to approach daily records. Proper heat safety precautions should be followed if spending time outdoors in these regions.