Happy Friday Everyone!
The heat is building across much of the Northwest as temperatures surge well above average. 100° readings are possible this weekend and into early next week! Also, we are watching the potential for some severe weather this afternoon for parts of the Ohio Valley. Elsewhere across the nation, things will stay relatively quiet through this weekend. Here’s a round-up of the biggest weather events over the next few days:
Northwest Heat
As a ridge continues to build across the western half of the U.S., temperatures will steadily climb for parts of the Northwest. A Heat Advisory is in effect from coastal Washington to western Montana this afternoon through Saturday night for heat indices nearing 100F.
Records are in jeopardy for many cities. Spokane, WA has a record high temperature of 100F today. That was set back in 1925. Their forecast high temperature is 99F! Spokane should be sitting right around 77F for an average June 26th afternoon high. The hottest day of their extended forecast will be Sunday when temperatures are expected to warm into the low 100s.
Severe Weather
There is a risk of severe weather today from Texas and Oklahoma to the Mid-Atlantic. The area that has the greatest potential to see strong storms will be the Ohio Valley. A line of storms is expected to develop ahead of a cold front. Those storms will likely be strong as they push through Kentucky and Tennessee during the afternoon and evening. Threats include large hail, damaging wind gusts, and even a few isolated tornadoes.
Flooding Concerns
Multiple rounds of showers and storms will also bring frequent lightning and lots of heavy rain. There is an ongoing concern for flash flooding from parts of central Missouri to Maryland. Some areas across the Ohio Valley could see anywhere from 1-3″ of rain through tomorrow evening.
National Weather
Across the rest of the nation, the weather will remain pretty quiet for the weekend. The Upper Midwest will see some isolated storms overnight Saturday into Sunday morning as a shortwave trough slides down from Canada. Also, the very hot temperatures will continue for southern California, southern Nevada, and western Arizona.
Thanks for stopping by the AerisWeather blog! Have a great weekend!
-Meteorologist Ashley O’Connor
