Weekly Weather Watch: Monday, August 26th, 2024
Your weekly weather brief is here. The weather headlines to appear on your feeds this week are: Heat is the biggest issue for the Central U.S. early this week, where a number of daily records are possible and high heat indices. Severe thunderstorms are also possible early this week as a cold front pushes through many regions to scour out the heat.
HEADLINERS:
A couple of days of intense heat and humidity expected to impact the Midwest.
Severe storms and isolated flash flooding possible across the Northern Plains/Upper Midwest today and the Great Lakes on Tuesday.
Daily monsoonal thunderstorms shifting eastward into the southern Rockies/High Plains.
Slight risk of heavy precipitation for portions of southern Mainland Alaska, Sat-Mon, Aug 31-Sep 2.
Risk for rapid onset drought for portions of the Southern Plains, and the Ohio, Tennessee, and Lower and Middle Mississippi Valley.
Heavy precipitation for parts of BC but air quality issues throughout much of Canada due to wildfire activity.
List contributions from Environment Canada and WPC.
ON THE RADAR:
Animation of the storm segments expected this week, followed by severe weather risks the next three days.
IN THE GAUGES:
Rainfall expected through the week highlights another push of the Southwestern Monsoon for Mexico and New Mexico. With the cold front moving across Canada and the Upper Midwest, rainfall will be higher here, especially over Minnesota and Wisconsin.
RECORDS MADE TO BE BROKEN:
TROPICAL TIDINGS:
Nothing to note at this time…
ARE YOU CIRRUS?!
Abilene, Texas recorded its hottest day Wednesday 8/21 with 113°F; this is the hottest temperature on their record since 1885. The previous record was set August 2023 at 111°F.
A prolonged and dangerous heat wave will dominate the weather story this week as much of the central and eastern United States experiences some of the hottest weather of the year. Heat index values above 100 degrees will become widespread, with some communities seeing readings between 105 and 115 degrees and little relief at night. At the same time, several rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected from the High Plains through the Upper Midwest and Northeast, bringing the threat of damaging winds, large hail, and localized flash flooding. Out West, cooler-than-normal temperatures will continue while dry conditions keep wildfire concerns elevated across parts of the Four Corners and Great Basin. Air quality is an issue across Alberta to Quebec due to wildfire smoke. Heavy precipitation is possible from far eastern Saskatchewan to far western Manitoba.