Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted July 5, 2024
This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.
First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here after about 4 p.m. New York time but it is unlikely to have changed very much from the morning update. The images in this article automatically update.
Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Fri Jul 05 2024Valid 12Z Fri Jul 05 2024 – 12Z Sun Jul 07 2024
…Heat is expected to intensify and spread farther up the West Coast this
weekend……Oppressive heat and humidity will shift east into the Mid-Atlantic and
Southeast today and Saturday……Excessive Rainfall possible over portions of the coastal Mid-Atlantic
down through the Carolinas on Saturday……Beryl is forecast to re-intensify over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico
on Saturday and threaten southern Texas…Dangerous heat is likely to become more widespread in the West today and
Saturday. Today, temperatures will soar into the 100s and 110s over much
of California and southern Oregon. Temperatures will be 15-30 degrees
above average for much of the West Coast today. Widespread temperature
records are expected to be tied or broken. Saturday will likely shape up
to be the hottest day in this heatwave when high temperatures into the
110s will be common across California outside of the cooling effects of
the Pacific Ocean near the coast and the naturally cooler higher
elevations. Numerous record-breaking temperatures can be expected through
the next few days. Locally higher temperatures into the 120s are possible
in the typical hot spots of the Desert Southwest. The triple-digit heat
will expand northward into the Pacific Northwest and parts of the central
Great Basin, with widespread highs rising into the 90s and low 100s. The
duration of this heat is also concerning as scorching above average
temperatures are forecast to linger into next week. Heat impacts can
compound over time, therefore it is important to remain weather aware and
follow the advice of local officials. Heat Watches and Warnings are in
effect for much of the West. This level of heat throughout parts of the
Mojave Desert and Sacramento/San Joaquin valleys of California could pose
a risk to anyone if proper heat safety is not followed. It is imperative
to stay hydrated, out of direct sunlight, and in buildings with sufficient
air-conditioning when possible. It is also equally as important to check
on the safety of vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors.Meanwhile, oppressive heat and humidity will begin to shift eastward to
the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast for the end of the week. High temperatures
rising into the upper 90s and low 100s are expected, with heat indices
soaring into the 110s across the lower Mississippi Valley. Warm overnight
conditions in the upper 70s and low 80s will offer little relief, leading
to a dangerous situation for those without access to adequate cooling. A
cold front entering the southern Plains is anticipated to offer cooler and
below average temperatures to Oklahoma, much of northern/western Texas,
and the Mid-South today. Above average temperatures are then anticipated
to remain confined to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic for the start of the
weekend, with afternoon highs into the mid-to-upper 90s.An active and stormy weather pattern over the central U.S. is expected to
bring heightened chances for severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall,
which could impact holiday gatherings through early this weekend. A
developing area of low pressure over the Northern Plains is forecast to
team up with a lingering frontal boundary stretching from the lower Great
Lakes to the southern Plains to trigger some meteorological fireworks.
Thunderstorm chances span from the Southern Plains/Rockies to the
Middle/Upper Mississippi Valley and also eastward to the Ohio Valley and
Mid-Atlantic. Flash flooding will remain a concern throughout the upper
Midwest as well due to yet another round of thunderstorms overlapping
areas dealing with ongoing river flooding and saturated soils, with
scattered flash flooding also possible between the Ohio Valley and
southern Plains. Today, thunderstorms will continue to progress eastward
with the frontal boundary into much of the eastern third of the country.
Isolated strong to severe storms and flash flooding are possible. The
greatest threat for damaging wind gusts associated with these storms will
be across the upper Ohio Valley. Elsewhere, daily thunderstorm chances
associated with daytime heating are possible along the Gulf Coast and
Florida. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also possible throughout
the north-central U.S. this weekend as upper troughing remains over the
region. There’s a Slight Risk for Excessive Rainfall leading to Flash
Flooding along a stalled out frontal boundary over portions of
southeastern Virginia down through coastal Carolina on Saturday. Residents
and visitors located within areas expecting severe weather and/or heavy
rainfall are advised to remain weather aware, have multiple ways to
receive warnings, and never drive across flooded roadways.As we head into the weekend, interests along the western Gulf of Mexico
should pay attention to the future progress of Hurricane Beryl, currently
located in the western Caribbean Sea. Beryl is forecast to weaken into a
tropical storm as it traverses the Yucatan Peninsula on Friday before
emerging into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico on Saturday. Beryl has an
opportunity to re-intensify over the Gulf and turn more northwest toward
the southern tip of Texas by the end of this forecast period Saturday
evening.