Americans across the country are in for potentially dangerous weather as they head into the weekend before the Fourth of July, from high temperatures to “big hail” and severe thunderstorms, meteorologists said.
An oppressive heat wave that has already caused more than a dozen deaths in Texas alone is finally beginning to subside, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Friday that “hazardous heat and humidity are still expected to impact locations throughout the Southeast through Independence Day.” “. “
Additionally, Americans in some areas where Canadian wildfire smoke has clouded the sky with haze will continue to see moderate to unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups through the weekend. However, this is a huge improvement over the past few days.
Here's what to expect from the weather this weekend:
Thunderstorms, hail and flash floods
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said a “slow-moving storm system” this weekend and into early next week could bring heavy rain, severe thunderstorms and other dangerous weather this weekend.
The central Mississippi Valley through the central Appalachian Mountains could see clusters of thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding on Saturday and Sunday. The storm system is expected to bring similar risks to the Mid-Atlantic region late Sunday and early Tuesday, potentially dampening Fourth of July celebrations.
The northern Plains, Southeast, Northeast, and along the Rocky Mountain region may also see showers and thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday.
United States weather hours and warnings map
Heat in Southeastern California
Dangerous heat and humidity are expected to impact areas of the Southeast this weekend even as temperatures across much of the South drop below danger. Forecasters also expect “excessive heat” from the Desert Southwest — the desert regions of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas — into the interior of California.
“The heat-related risk remains high due to the long duration of this heat wave,” the Storm Prediction Center said.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles said dry, hot conditions in Southern California across the desert, low mountains and inland valleys are triggering heat warnings and extreme heat advisories through Monday. Residents are advised to take extra care to avoid leaving children, pets and the elderly in hot cars. Fireworks are also an additional fire hazard.
Temperatures in California's valleys will reach nearly 110 degrees at the hottest points on Saturday, the Storm Prediction Center said. The southwestern desert will see temperatures reaching 110 degrees Celsius.
“The risk of heat-related illnesses will increase over the weekend,” the center said.
The weather forecast in Tucson, Arizona, on Monday is expected to break the record set in 1989, the National Weather Service said. On average, the hottest time of year is late June and early July, with an average high of 102 degrees. But the temperature on Monday is expected to reach 111 degrees The weather service said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the upper Midwest will also see above-average temperatures over the weekend and into the holiday.
Excessive heat warnings have been issued for some parts of Tennessee through Saturday, and National Weather Service in Memphis Two Mid-South locations were tied for the most oppressive Friday afternoon temperatures: Tunica, Mississippi, and Union City, Tennessee, with a heat index of 119 degrees, he said Friday.
Will foggy air affect fireworks viewing?
Poor air quality caused by Canadian wildfires could even affect the visibility of fireworks displays in parts of the United States, forecasters said. Some improvement is expected by Sunday and Monday in the Midwest and along the East Coast, but smoke could get bad again in the Northeast by July 4 as winds blow from the north, the department said.
In Montreal, a Canada Day fireworks display was canceled on Thursday amid poor air quality due to forest fires. Fireworks displays around the Fourth of July are known to temporarily harm air quality due to the toxic particles they emit.
