WeatherNation Meteorologists

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A ridge of high pressure continues to dominate the southern tier of the US, sending storms riding around the ridge through the Midwest and Northeast. Under the high-pressure block, extreme heat and humidity will persist, lasting into this week for some. The long-lasting heat dome has triggered heat alerts from Missouri through Florida, with extreme heat warnings in effect (pink boxes, below) along with many heat advisories. Highs will soar into the triple digits, feeling 5-15 degrees hotter with the humidity. Make sure to find adequate ways to stay cool!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-18 110012-1787072418291.png">Feels-like temperatures remain dangerously hot across the central and southern United States. Many areas will feel like 110-115 in the afternoon. Today, the feel-like temperatures will continue to be in the triple digits as well.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-18 035142-1787046711434.png">On Wednesday, intense heat continues to bake the South and Southeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-18 110103-1787072472421.png">Some places could be so hot that we're threatening records around the South as well. Especially in the Sunshine State<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-18 110130-1787072511083.png">

Alana Cameron

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

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Last week, several rounds of storms moved through areas of the Midwest, producing significant wind gusts and flash flooding. Another cold front will arrive shortly after the previous front leaves, sparking a new wave of severe storms, including potential for flash flooding.<h1>Forecast</h1>Wind shear will increase across the Plains and Midwest as a strong trough moves across Canada, while a cold front will cut into the United States. Along the front, isolated to scattered severe storms have been moving through, prompting severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings. Instability will be somewhat limited, so severe storms are more likely in the afternoons when daytime heating can add energy to the atmosphere.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/fjajfjffjfjfjf-1787072653499.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Outlooks</h1>The SPC has maintained a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe weather across the Plains and Midwest. As the front swings farther south and east on Tuesday, another round of scattered severe storms is anticipated from Nebraska through western Illinois.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/lllll-1787072877637.png">The same frontal system will continue to stall out into more of the Mid-South as we head into Wednesday. A slight risk close to the low has been issued into Arkansas and Missouri.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-18 034127-1787046102143.png">By Tuesday, heavy rain will become a bigger hazard, with scattered flash flooding possible for areas in dark green (below). Soils are saturated from last week's rain in many of these areas, meaning runoff or flooding will occur more quickly than normal. Totals can get up to 3" in some isolated spots.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-18 03-43-06-1787046202452.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-18 034157-1787046130096.png">

Jackie Brown

Cold Front Brings Severe Storms to  Plains

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Kevin Schneider

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The last few days, Mother Nature has turned down the heat somewhat for the Southwest, with the extra clouds and monsoon storms back in the picture. As we get through the work week, high pressure returns westward to the Desert Southwest. Extreme heat alerts have been issued for cities including Phoenix, Vegas, Tucson, and Yuma.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-18 034619-1787046394532.png">We started the week with plenty of triple digits across the Southwest, and the heat will continue this week. Temperatures will run a tad above average for folks across an already hot Southwest. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-18 034528-1787046340696.png">If you thought the hot temperatures would be a short-term thing, you would be wrong! Hot temperatures are here to stay for the end of August.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-18 034551-1787046364533.png">

Heat Returning to the Desert This Week

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Lala continues to move westward of Kauai, still bringing bands of heavy rainfall and gusty winds to portions of the smaller Hawaiian Islands.The Hawaii Department of Transportation reported that parts of Highway 11 on the Big Island were shut down due to flooding. More than 130,000 customers lost power Saturday at the height of the storm. As the storm moves west-northwest, expect conditions to slowly improve as the blustery showers back off.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2088807962383143316" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2088807962383143316"></div>Flooding continues to be a problem for Hawaii as all of this rain makes it back into the ocean. Some areas picked up more than 3 FEET of rain thanks to Lala!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-17 101407-1786983268612.jpg">Lala, now over open Pacific waters, has strengthened back into a hurricane. According to the NHC, Lala is expected to intensify to a category two. At this point, additional impacts to the Hawaiian islands will be limited, but surf and rip currents will be something to watch. Larger swells generated by the system could amplify these coastal concerns.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-18 035803-1787047106402.png">

Adrian Hernandez

Hawaii Cleaning Up after Lala Grazed the Islands

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MIDWEST - After a week of flooding rains in the Midwest, today we enjoy a break from the relentless rainfall. However, many remain under flood watches and warnings as rivers remain swollen.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2088604118151479464" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2088604118151479464"></div>FLOOD THREATAdditional rainfall could increase the risk of flash flooding across the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Appalachian region. As the front works through, some localized flooding will be possible overnight. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/OVERNSSSS-1787016460932.png"><h2>Overnight Severe Threat</h2>The Storm Prediction Center and National Weather Service have issued a severe thunderstorm watch through tonight across the Southern Appalachians. The SPC has us under a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe storms through the overnight hours.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-17 193201-1787016747073.png">

Heat Returning to the Desert This Week

Hawaii Cleaning Up after Lala Grazed the Islands

Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Cold Front Brings Severe Storms to Plains

Heat Returning to the Desert This Week

Hawaii Cleaning Up after Lala Grazed the Islands

Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Cold Front Brings Severe Storms to Plains

Heat Returning to the Desert This Week

Hawaii Cleaning Up after Lala Grazed the Islands

Front That Caused Flooding Heading East