Kevin Schneider

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Photo: Iron Fire getting doused with a retardant drop. USFS <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2070303528321737022" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2070303528321737022"></div>UTAH - Numerous wildfires continue to burn across Utah, scorching tens of thousands of acres across the state.One of the most significant fires is the Cottonwood Fire, which began on June 22, 2026, and has experienced rapid growth fueled by dry vegetation, gusty winds, and ongoing drought conditions. The fire more than doubled in size on Wednesday, growing from approximately 30,000 acres to more than 93,000 acres. According to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/fishlake/alerts/cottonwood-fire-closure-order">Fishlake National Forest</a>, the fire has prompted mandatory evacuation orders across portions of the region.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 121504-1782670519089.png">Meanwhile, the Iron Fire burning near Eureka, Utah, has prompted Governor Spencer Cox to authorize funding to support firefighting efforts. The authorization makes FEMA assistance available to cover 75% of the state's eligible firefighting costs through an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires.<h1>Increasing Danger</h1>A strong trough is increasing winds, leading to critical and extreme fire weather conditions. Through tonight, the risk remains extreme across the Four Corners, especially where numerous fires including the Snyder Fire (28k acres), the Ferris Fire (5K acres) and the Horse Head Fire (600 acres).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 121715-1782670642928.png">Red Flag Warnings have been issued all across the Four Corners for these dangerous fire threats.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 121947-1782670793482.png">Winds are expected to be strong and sustained at 20-30 mph for some areas, with very low humidity. That could mean ongoing fires could become erratic and unpredictable.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043144-1782556311355.png">Residents are encouraged to stay informed, follow local evacuation orders, and do their part to help prevent the start and spread of wildfires this summer.

Alana Cameron

Massive Fires Burn in Utah, Extreme Fire Danger Continues This Weekend

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Early in the season, we watch closer to the coasts here at home for development in the Hurricane Season. Until the waves coming off the coast of Africa start to fly and quit losing the battle to Saharan Dust, old fronts are the leading source of development.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 065319-1782582900361.png">The frontal boundary that is slowly taking it's time to move through the southeast will eventually exit offshore early next week. Some models handle the process differently, but the one that leans more toward development is the European model. Here, it forms an area of low pressure around Monday and lingers offshore through the middle of the week. A longer time over water will give it a better chance to develop tropical characteristics.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 063519-1782563830977.jpg">Other models move whatever develops over the water back on land prior to anything becoming tropical. IF something were to be named, Bertha is the next name up on the list.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 063531-1782563982336.jpg">

Slow-Moving Front Could Turn Tropical This Week

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Dave Holder

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A significant early-summer trough is digging across the western half of the country. Much cooler temperatures across the Northwest, along with increasing severe weather chances across the Great Plains, are expected this weekend.Models continue to indicate the potential for significant snow accumulations, particularly across the Bitterroots and Sawtooth Ranges.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 202458-1782613570550.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/northwestsummersnow-1782613869127.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The latest timing shows the changeover to snow happening overnight and early Sunday morning. Our forecast does show some of the high elevation snow being on the heavy side from time to time.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 202806-1782613694133.png">It will be much cooler for many this weekend. Some locations will be feeling daytime highs that are 15°+ below-average.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 202834-1782613721242.png">As stronger upper-level winds overspread heat and humidity building each afternoon across the Plains, severe weather will be likely several days in a row. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted areas across the Dakotas and Northern Minnesota for severe weather this weekend into early next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 202920-1782613767056.png">

Weekend System To Shake up Pattern Across the Country

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The hottest temperatures of the year are looming later this week. An area of high pressure is loitering over Texas but will be on the move. And looks like it will get stronger. That means intense heat will build for many areas east of the Rocky Mountains later this week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043604-1782556571201.png">Temperatures in the afternoons will soar through the 90's, with many threatening the century mark for the first time this year. We'll feel it first building into the Midwest, where ample humidity will make it feel even worse. Already, heat alerts have been issued for parts of the Central United States and more alerts will be added over the next few days. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 072442-1782653111433.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043650-1782556636480.png">Our high will then take aim at the northeast. By Wednesday and Thursday, highs will be in record territory. Ahead of this heat wave, it will still be above average, prolonging the exposure to the warm temperatures.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043734-1782556715035.png">Heat waves become deadly when they are extended in duration, and complicated by overnight lows struggling to cool off enough. Be sure to mix in plenty of water, even with a holiday weekend coming up. Know the signs to look out for in friends and family.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043943-1782556806519.png">

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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As Summer settles in across the Central U.S., MCSs, also known as Mesoscale Convective Systems, become more prevalent. These large clusters of thunderstorms can organize and persist for hours, travel hundreds of miles, and produce all modes of severe weather. The weather pattern over the next few days will favor repeated rounds of these storm complexes across the Plains &amp; Midwest.Strong and severe thunderstorms remain possible in the Mid South over the next few days as storms ride a ridge of high pressure. This will target the same areas through the end of the week to see severe weather. <h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/what-is-an-mcs">WHAT IS AN MCS: READ MORE HERE</a></h4><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782612588554.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For the overnight, a few storms could still be severe across parts of the Ohio Valley before being steering into the Carolinas for Sunday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 133648-1782589019330.png">These storms will dump rain on the same areas, increasing the risk of flooding in some of the same spots that already flooded earlier this week. For more on the flooding risk, read this <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-weather-returns-this-weekend">related article</a> on the flood potential.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782612765591.png">

Weekend System To Shake up Pattern Across the Country

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week

'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across the Southeast

Massive Fires Burn in Utah, Extreme Fire Danger Continues This Weekend

Slow-Moving Front Could Turn Tropical This Week

Weekend System To Shake up Pattern Across the Country

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week

'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across the Southeast

Massive Fires Burn in Utah, Extreme Fire Danger Continues This Weekend

Slow-Moving Front Could Turn Tropical This Week

Weekend System To Shake up Pattern Across the Country

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week

'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across the Southeast