Kevin Schneider

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After weeks of hot and mostly dry weather, the Southwest is beginning its transition into the annual North American Monsoon Season. A shift in the overall weather pattern is allowing deeper moisture to move north from the Pacific and Gulf, setting the stage for a daily chance of showers and thunderstorms across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Colorado, and Nevada.The North American monsoon is a seasonal wind shift that occurs each summer, transporting moisture from the eastern Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California into the Desert Southwest. As the moist air combines with intense daytime heating and mountainous terrain, thunderstorms become much more common during the afternoon and evening hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/monsoon-1783907186171.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The first surge of monsoonal moisture is expected to increase storm coverage through the coming days. While many of these storms will produce beneficial rainfall for areas experiencing drought, they will also be capable of dropping heavy rain over a short period of time. Because the Southwest’s dry soils do not absorb water efficiently, runoff can develop quickly, creating a heightened risk of flash flooding in washes, slot canyons, and other low-lying locations.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-13 04-06-58-1783937243072.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Recently burned areas will be particularly susceptible to flooding and debris flows. Vegetation lost to wildfires leaves hillsides unable to absorb rainfall, allowing water, mud, and rocks to move rapidly downhill during intense thunderstorms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-13 040736-1783937272677.png">As the monsoon continues to strengthen through July, residents and visitors across the Southwest should be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions each afternoon. Even storms that last only a short time can produce dangerous flash flooding, making it important to avoid flooded roadways and never enter fast-moving water.

Adrian Hernandez

Monsoon Moisture Returns to the Southwest, Increasing Storm and Flash Flood Potential

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Alana Cameron was born and raised in Canada in the city of Mississauga, just outside of Toronto. Alana is the oldest of 4 siblings, all close in age, and grew up playing outside with them in all types of weather. After graduating high school, Alana moved to study at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna for a year before transferring to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Atmospheric Science. Upon completion, Alana moved back to Toronto where she completed a post-grad degree in Meteorology at York University. After her post-grad, she went on to complete another post-grad in Broadcast Journalism - TV News at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. During her final year of studies she had the privilege of interning with the best in the business in Canada at The Weather Network. Once she finished her internship, she got the call from small-town Denison, Texas where she accepted a job as an on-air meteorologist at KTEN-TV, right in tornado alley, covering severe weather from Sherman/Denison (North Texas) to Ada (Southern Oklahoma). After the most active tornado season Oklahoma had seen in May 2019 (105 tornadoes!) Alana is excited to join WeatherNation to cover weather all across the nation. If you're interested in following her on social media she can be found @alanacameronwx!

Alana Cameron

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ALL TIME RECORD HIGHS were broken across the Western United States on Sunday July 12th, including cities such as Billings, Montana reaching a scorching 111° (searing the previous all time record of 107°) and Salt Lake City, Utah reaching a toasty 109°, which beat out the previous record set in September of 2022 at 107°.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-13 032956-1783935008507.png">Extreme heat watches, warnings, and advisories have been issued from Utah and Colorado into the Great Lakes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-13 032915-1783934970677.png">Heat safety will be a key concern going forward. Be sure to stay hydrated and keep looking in the back seat before locking the car. The heatwave has climaxed in the Central and Northern Rockies and will begin to shift into the High Plains and Upper Midwest as we head into the week ahead.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-13 033019-1783935031414.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-13 033047-1783935060353.png">Extreme Heat Warnings cover parts of Utah, Colorado, and the Grand Canyon/Colorado River region in northern Arizona.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-13 033348-1783935247620.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-13 033417-1783935269790.png">The heat also settles in on Southern California this week with not only highs in the mid-90s for Los Angeles, but lows in the desert that may stay above 90 degrees.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-13 033441-1783935292933.png">Long-term models suggest this might be something to get used to, however. This ridge looks to linger in the area and could strengthen by next weekend. The Climate Prediction Center is highlighting much of the West with above-average temperatures into the middle of July.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-07 161953-1783462799142.png">Here are a few heat safety tips for people affected by the heat.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/pic5-1783634512392.png">

Historic Heatwave Hits the Northern Rockies

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Rob grew up in South Florida, where daily afternoon storms and hurricanes piqued his interest in meteorology early on. That interest was fostered by his teachers and his father, who one time brought him onto the roof of their home to watch a funnel cloud move through the Everglades several miles away. Years of filmmaking and tv production in high school gradually pushed him toward broadcast meteorology at Florida State University, where he joined and eventually led the student run daily weather show. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology, he began his career at KESQ in Palm Springs, California before heading to KFSN in Fresno and WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina. He has covered a diverse array of extreme weather events, including haboobs and flash flooding in the desert, extreme snow in the Sierra, hurricanes, and Appalachian ice storms. He also enjoys telling stories and reporting about weather issues.

Connect with Rob on <a href="https://twitter.com/WxRobBradley">Twitter</a>

Rob Bradley

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Life-threatening flash flooding developed last week on Thursday and Friday in Missouri to the SSW of St. Louis. Parts of Iron and Reynolds counties recorded upwards of 6-12 inches of rain, leading to water surging into homes and businesses. This resulted in numerous water rescues by emergency personnel, over 90 in fact, but the great news is everyone has been accounted for! With that being said, more rain and storms will continue over the next few days.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2075552085597429997" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2075552085597429997"></div><h2> Forecast</h2>Heavy rain and storms will continue to slowly follow the frontal boundary south into Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-12 195751-1783907912974.png">Severe storms are possible each day, with damaging winds expected as the primary hazard, but large hail and an isolated tornado can't be ruled out.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/07-12_rse bams forecast-1783907918779.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Several inches of rain will be possible. With the grounds very saturated, it will not take much to cause more flooding. So remember, TURN AROUND AND DON'T DROWN.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-12 195846-1783907935905.png">

Flooding Rain, Severe Storms Continue to Track Across the South

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Hazy skies will be hovering over portions of the Gulf and the Southeastern United States as we head into the work week. Why is it so hazy? Saharan dust will be sent flying over the region at times, thick enough to make a difference in the color of the sun and potentially to air quality. Expect some of the thickest dust to hover over Florida and push into Texas this week.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/saharan fut-1783908048297.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>This is not unusual for this time of year. Outbreaks of the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) typically occur in the Atlantic during the summer months as strong westerly waves move off of Africa, sending dust out over the Atlantic. Depending on the speed and intensity of the SAL outbreak, these plumes of dry, dusty air can reach parts of the U.S. at times, even the middle of the country!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-08 083614-1783521420831.png"><h1>Heat</h1>Hot and humid conditions will persist in the Southeast while the Saharan Air moves through. While the SAL does dry out the mid-levels of the atmosphere, the bottom 5,000 feet is typically unaffected, meaning humidity won't change much even though there may be fewer storms. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-12 200201-1783908126651.png">

Saharan Dust, Excessive Heat Impact the Southeast

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Several rounds of severe weather have been rolling off the Front Range into the Great Plains this week! A mid-level trough sparked severe weather Friday afternoon, bringing damaging winds and hail. At the Denver International Airport, wind gusted up to 72 mph.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783736213990.png"><h1>FRIDAY:</h1>Damaging winds will be the primary threat along the Front Range and east into the Plains. Large hail is possible as well.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-10 063841-1783687129662.png"><h2>Timing</h2>Storms continue to push eastward into the Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas for the late hours. Storms should fizzle out by daybreak Saturday morning.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/BARON 5-1783736334233.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>A few locations could get hit a couple of times by thunderstorms this week, which means that some areas may see some locally heavier rainfall totals. Keep an eye on flood alerts in your area. With repeated rounds of storms, you may be at risk for flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-10 064026-1783687247364.png">Flash flooding will be possible for many areas, though it will be more likely for some than others. Areas in dark green in the Excessive Rainfall Outlook (below) will have better chance to see scattered flash flooding incidents.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783736373460.png">For more on this active forecast, be sure to join us on WeatherNation!

Flooding Rain, Severe Storms Continue to Track Across the South

Saharan Dust, Excessive Heat Impact the Southeast

Another Day of Storms for the Plains & Front Range

Monsoon Moisture Returns to the Southwest, Increasing Storm and Flash Flood Potential

Historic Heatwave Hits the Northern Rockies

Flooding Rain, Severe Storms Continue to Track Across the South

Saharan Dust, Excessive Heat Impact the Southeast

Another Day of Storms for the Plains & Front Range

Monsoon Moisture Returns to the Southwest, Increasing Storm and Flash Flood Potential

Historic Heatwave Hits the Northern Rockies

Flooding Rain, Severe Storms Continue to Track Across the South

Saharan Dust, Excessive Heat Impact the Southeast

Another Day of Storms for the Plains & Front Range