Around 80 million people remain under Excessive Heat Warning/Watch or Heat Advisory during a lengthy July wave that doesn’t appear to be going anywhere this week, according to the National Weather Service.
The Four Corners states, Texas to the Lower Mississippi Valley, and South Florida will continue to face triple digit temperatures through Friday, the NWS reports. Daytime highs with reside in the upper 90s in the Gulf Coast and Mid-South, which combined with oppressively high dew points through Thursday will result in more sweltering heat indices of 120 degrees in some areas.
The NWS forecasts daily low temperatures to stay warm and even break daily minimum records, further limiting overnight heat relief. Parts of South Florida should brace for intense heat mainly due to above average sea surface temperatures and lighter than normal winds across the state. The Mid-Atlantic will keep seeing usual hot and muggy weather for mid-July while the Northeast stays in the 80s but with less humid conditions than the southeast.
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The Upper Midwest and both the northern and central High Plains are forecasted to have cooler than normal temperatures thanks to a pair of cold fronts.
Here is the forecast for Thursday, July 19:
U.S. heat index map
Western Kentucky and northwest Tennessee at risk of flash flooding
The NWS forecasts severe rainfall from the Nation’s Heartland to the Mid-Atlantic through Thursday with Kentucky and northwestern Tennessee facing a moderate risk of flash flooding.
Rounds of strong-to-severe temperatures are forecasted from the central Rockies and Great Plains, to the Mid-Atlantic coast, according to the NWS. Parts of western Kentucky experienced catastrophic flooding Wednesday with reports of over 10 inch rainfall coming from thunderstorms. The NWS said prolific rainfall generally decreases.
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Severe thunderstorms expected to expand into the central High Plaints, portions of the Great Lakes, the central Appalachians and the Tennessee Valley Thursday. The thunderstorms in those regions could produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, flash flooding and tornadoes. Meanwhile, the Rockies and Southwest can also expect showers and thunderstorms through the end of Friday due to monsoon moisture in the area.
Severe weather watch in Kentucky
Heavy rain to prevail in Hawaii as weakened storm arrives
Although Tropical Storm Calvin is weakening as it approaches west of the Hawaiian Islands, dangerous surf and winds are still expected, the NWS reports. Rainfall of a upwards to 4 to 10 inches are possible through Thursday along the windward slopes of the state’s Big Island. Flash flooding and mudslides are possible.
Tropical Storm Calvin watches and warnings
