The harsh heat the West has been facing is forecast to expand throughout the Southwest and Gulf Coast states over the next few days, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS says record breaking temperatures are expected in the Four Corners states, from Texas to the Lower Mississippi Valley and in South Florida.
The desert Southwest and Texas can expect consistent daytime highs in the triple digits while temperatures in the Gulf Coast and mid-South should reach the mid-to-upper 90s – with humidity combining to push the heat index to 105-115, according to the NWS. Despite a recent weak cold front passing, the Northeast and mid-Atlantic will also continue to see hot and humid conditions through Tuesday.
Parts of the Midwest and areas near the Great Lakes are expected to get cooler-than-normal temperatures, with highs in the 70s forecast for some areas of the Upper Midwest on Tuesday.
U.S. heat index map
Tropical Storm Calvin weakening before reaching Hawai’i
Tropical Storm Calvin, now downgraded from a hurricane, will further weaken as it approaches the island of Hawai’i, the NWS reports. The state’s largest island has tropical storm watches in effect late Tuesday until Wednesday when the system is expected to become a tropical depression.
The area can expect heavy rainfall locally with about 4-7 inches on windward slopes and possible rough waves. Maui and Hawaii counties are under a flood watch from Tuesday evening until Wednesday afternoon, according to Hawaii News Now.
Tropical Storm Calvin:Here’s what to expect on Big Island and more
Tropical Storm Calvin watches and warnings
Numerous thunderstorms to engulf parts of Midwest and East
Heavy and excessive rainfall can be expected over the Northeast as a cold front comes from the west Tuesday.
Portions of the Ohio Valley have higher risks of excessive rainfall on both Tuesday and Wednesday. While the Plains and Ohio Valley have lower chances of severe weather on Wednesday, residents near the Illinois/Missouri border can expect some of the heaviest rainfall, according to the NWS.
Heavy rainfall forecast in Midwest
Air Quality alerts emerge throughout Northern High Plains, Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast
Direct smoke from the Canadian wildfires will continue to reach the Lower 48 will Tuesday worsening air quality, the NWS reports.
Air Quality alerts have been issued for areas including the northern High Plains, the Midwest, Great Lakes, central Tennessee and North Carolina and into the Northeast, the NWS reports. Smoke concentrations should clear over parts of the U.S. on Tuesday but the East Coast may be excluded from the trend.
Canada continues to witness the nation’s most extensive wildfires on record, with an area about the size of Kentucky burned in the blaze.
U.S. air quality index
