The latest weather forecast highlights several significant weather events across different regions of the United States:
- Moderate Risk of Excessive Rainfall and Flash Flooding: Parts of southeastern Oklahoma and the ArkLaTex are at moderate risk of excessive rainfall, which could lead to flash flooding. This risk is due to potent mid-level energy moving across the Deep South, promoting the formation of thunderstorms, including Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs). These repeating thunderstorms over the same area increase the likelihood of flash flooding.
- Severe Thunderstorms: The Upper/Middle Mississippi Valley and the ArkLaTex into western Mississippi are under a slight risk of severe thunderstorms. Large hail and severe wind gusts are the main threats. The Upper/Middle Mississippi Valley may experience severe storms driven by frontal convection, while damaging wind gusts are the primary threat in the ArkLaTex/Lower Mississippi Valley.
- Excessive Heat Wave: A deepening upper ridge in the West and a cutoff low west of Baja are contributing to a heat wave across much of the Western U.S. This heat wave particularly affects low elevation regions of California’s central valley and the Desert Southwest, where temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature anomalies of 20-30 degrees above average are likely, with widespread temperature records expected to be tied or broken. Excessive Heat Warnings and Watches are in place for these areas, with little overnight relief expected, posing dangerous conditions for those without adequate cooling and hydration. Heat risk is also elevated in southern Texas.
These weather conditions highlight the importance of staying informed and taking appropriate precautions to stay safe during severe weather events and heat waves.