An active stretch of weather is ahead across much of the country. Strong to severe thunderstorms will bring the risk of large hail, damaging wind, a few tornadoes, and heavy rain from Texas into the Lower Mississippi Valley, Mid-South, and Southeast. At the same time, dry and windy conditions will keep fire weather concerns elevated across the Southern High Plains, while cooler air settles into the central and eastern U.S. later this week into the weekend.