…Dangerous heat will continue to impact portions of the West into this
weekend…
…Heavy rain and flash flooding are likely along the Central Gulf Coast
and Southeast over the next few days…
In the West, a strong upper level ridge will remain overhead through
Saturday, resulting in well above average and potentially dangerous
temperatures for portions of the West. High temperatures will once again
reach the triple digits in the Southwest and parts of interior California
on Saturday, and highs could exceed 110 degrees in the hottest locations
of the Desert Southwest. Temperatures will be heating up in the interior
Northwest as well, with widespread high temperatures well into the 90s.
These temperatures will result in a moderate to extreme HeatRisk, and this
level of heat is dangerous for anyone without adequate cooling or
hydration. Residents and visitors are advised to follow proper heat
safety, which includes checking on vulnerable individuals. Poor air
quality will also remain an issue throughout parts of the Northwest as
wildfire smoke continues to plague the region. Temperatures should
decrease across the West Sunday into Monday as the ridge shifts east over
the Central United States, and scattered light showers and storms will be
possible as a weak upper level wave moves across the region.
In the eastern half of the nation, a fall-like airmass will move into
place behind a cold front that will move towards the East Coast on
Saturday. Below normal temperatures are forecast from the eastern Plains
to the East Coast this weekend, with high temperatures reaching as low as
10-20 degrees below normal in some areas. Highs will generally be in the
60s and 70s for most of the central and eastern U.S., and in the 80s for
the South and Southeast. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible along
the front as it moves through the East, but strong high pressure will
result in dry conditions behind the front. Heavy precipitation will be
confined to the Central Gulf Coast and the Southeast where a lingering
stationary front will trigger showers and storms through the weekend and
early next week. Heavy rain may result in scattered instances of flash
flooding, especially if rain falls in areas that already received heavy
rain over the past few days. Remember, it is never safe to walk or drive
into flood waters, and most flood fatalities occur in vehicles… turn
around, don’t drown!
Dolan
Graphics available at
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php
