Following extensive flooding in Florida, many states are now preparing for a severe heat wave, while the Pacific Northwest anticipates unseasonably cold weather and a potential for late-season snow in the Rocky Mountains early next week.
The weather forecast includes the chance of severe thunderstorms forming between hot and cold fronts. Meteorologists predict that these colliding fronts could result in flash flooding in areas between eastern Nebraska and northern Wisconsin on Saturday night, as well as strong storms across parts of eastern Montana into North and South Dakota.
Additionally, a plume of tropical moisture is expected to reach the central Gulf Coast in the next few days, with heavy rain forecasted to begin Monday morning as per the National Weather Service.
“They’re all interconnected,” explained David Roth, a forecaster at the National Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland. “The heat building over the Midwest and the Northeast is due to an unusually amplified weather pattern for June.”
A low-pressure trough in the Northwest brought scattered thunderstorms and hail to Seattle and other cities in western Washington, with frost warnings prompting gardeners in northern Idaho to protect delicate plants over the weekend.
In Phoenix, temperatures soared to 111 degrees Fahrenheit by 5 p.m. and were expected to rise even higher. Lee Franklin, a spokesperson for the Phoenix Public Library, shared that over 5,000 visitors had sought refuge at library cooling centers, including a new 24-hour one at the Burton Barr Library.
“We definitely see a need and use of our heat relief efforts on these extremely hot days,” Franklin remarked.
The threat of heavy rains in Florida is diminishing, but some thunderstorms could still lead to local flooding due to the already saturated ground. Recent storms submerged areas between Miami and Fort Lauderdale as they dumped up to 20 inches of rain in southern parts of the state.
The destructive no-name storm system coincided with the early start of hurricane season in early June. This year’s hurricane season is expected to be particularly active, raising concerns about the intensification of storms due to climate change.
Temperatures were on the rise across much of the southern parts of the country on Saturday.
In Atlanta, where highs were projected to near 100 degrees Fahrenheit both weekend days, city officials opened a cooling center to provide relief. The city also postponed a “Family and Friends Field Day” event due to the heat.
In El Paso, Texas, Saturday temperatures were expected to approach 105 F, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory through Monday morning for the region. The city established five cooling centers that will operate daily until further notice.
Despite Arizona’s entry into its three-month monsoon season, with a usual shift in wind patterns bringing moisture from the tropical coast of Mexico, no rain is expected for most of the upcoming week.
“There are no rain chances across the state,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Ted Whittock, noting a 30% chance of showers in southeastern Arizona next Friday.
An atmospheric river of moist air is moving into the upper Midwest, causing a “moderate risk of excessive rainfall” from Sunday into next week in Minnesota, according to Roth.
“They rarely experience heavy rain events like this. We are forecasting up to 7 inches of rainfall in Minnesota – the significance of this cannot be understated,” Roth emphasized. The last time the state recorded such high precipitation in a single event was in 2008.
At the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee, tens of thousands of attendees endured a hot, sunny weekend to enjoy over 150 performances. Medical crews treated various heat-related conditions, while fans set up shade-providing structures to combat the intense heat. Some attendees had their sunscreen confiscated upon entry due to restrictions on full-size bottles and aerosol cans.
Temperatures in the Mid-Atlantic and New England are expected to peak in the mid- to upper 90s next week, with high humidity making it feel even hotter. The anticipated highs in the Northeast could set daily and monthly records over the next several days.
“Even northern Maine has a very low chance of hitting 100 degrees,” mentioned Roth.
Last year, the U.S. experienced the most heat waves since 1936, with the South and Southwest facing record-breaking heat, as per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
While most parts of the country are enduring scorching temperatures, parts of Montana are under winter storm watches with possible wet snowfalls lasting into Monday night.
Churchill explained that the cold front in the northwest is linked to the heatwave, as one extreme weather condition often accompanies the other.
Heavy rain and occasional thunderstorms were anticipated in western Washington into Saturday evening. The National Weather Service issued warnings of a stronger thunderstorm approaching in Edmonds, where an outdoor art festival was taking place.
Outdoor enthusiasts in the Cascade Mountains of Washington and the Rocky Mountains of Montana may also experience snow at lower elevations than usual. A winter weather watch was issued by the National Weather Service for north-central Idaho and western Montana from Sunday through Tuesday, with risks of hypothermia and impassable roads due to expected snowfall and potential tree damage.
Up to 6 inches of heavy, wet snow is projected in the mountains near Missoula, Montana, with up to 20 inches predicted for higher elevations around Glacier National Park.
