Kevin Schneider

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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.<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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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 70,000 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 2026-06-27 042823-1782556112930.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. The extreme risk is rare, meaning conditions are expected to lead to rapid fire spread rates, becoming unstoppable for areas in pink. Have a go bag ready and an evacuation route in mind!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043113-1782556280484.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-25 071507-1782393366920.png">Winds are expected to be intense on Saturday, 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.

Massive Fires Burn in Utah, Extreme Fire Danger Continues Into the Weekend

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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 southern Plains 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. Due to high levels of Gulf moisture, storms firing off the Rockies, a storm boundary in the southern Plains, and an increasing low-level jet at night, the severe storm risk for these areas is strongest after dark and into the overnight hours.<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>Storms that form in the Rockies will continue to push east along the stalled boundary, producing heavy rain and gusty winds. Some storms could last through the overnight and push along the stationary front.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/FORECAST-1782516454979.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Some storms could be strong and severe during the early morning hours of Saturday. Residents in these areas need a way to get severe weather alerts while they are sleeping.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/PIC 2-1782524236162.jpg">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.

Brittany Lockley

'MCS' Season Takes Hold with Severe Weather & Flooding Threats for the Plains & Midwest

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Dave Holder

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A significant early-summer trough is expected to dig across the western half of the country through the weekend and into early next week. Much cooler temperatures across the Northwest, along with increasing severe weather chances across the Great Plains, are expected by Saturday.The Northwest will be the first to feel the impacts of the incoming system, as rain chances increase Thursday night and daytime highs dip to well below seasonal averages. Winter Storm Watches have been issued for parts of Montana and Idaho for increasing heavy snow chances above 6500 feet.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782420794137.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782420715090.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/PIC 2-1782506730714.jpg">By the weekend, some locations will be feeling daytime highs that are 15°+ below-average. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782420831508.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/2026/06/1-1782420927842.png">

Patrick Crawford

Weekend System To Shake up Pattern Across the Country

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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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Another day, another Illinois tornado. That's just how this spring has gone in the Midwest. A low pressure system brought numerous severe storms to the Midwest on Wednesday, including large hail and flooding in Wisconsin, with strong winds, a tornado, and flooding in Illinois.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2070122338226749842" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2070122338226749842"></div><h1>Forecast</h1>The low pressure system that spawned Wednesday's storms is now moving east into New England bringing severe weather chances for Friday. A new low forms along the same front to also produce a severe risk across the Ohio River Friday. This is primarily for the threat of damaging winds but an isolated tornado or two will be possible (top of page).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782440323140.png">The stalled boundary will the focal point for storms on Friday. The first low moving across the Northeast will produce severe storms across parts of New England. Secondly, as the new coming out of Missouri will produce severe weather for Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois, and Kentucky during the afternoon and evening hours. All modes will be possible. The front slides into the Carolinas bringing the Carolinas at play for severe weather on Saturday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782440710501.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As a trailing low moves in on Saturday, a few more severe storms will be possible as the low tracks into the Southeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/pic5-1782421830617.png">Heavy rainfall will accompany strong storms, leading to isolated flood potential. The higher chance for flooding will stick to areas along and west of the Appalachians, through the Ohio River, and up to I-70.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782440751771.png">You Eastern Regional Forecast can be viewed on demand anytime with the WeatherNation app, or tune in live at :10 past the hour!

Jesse Kelley

Severe Threat Tracks into the Northeast Friday

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Tracey Anthony

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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2069873194111062392" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2069873194111062392"></div>New rounds of rainfall are expected to continue to move in from the High Plains and down to the South over the next few days. With additional rain across saturated soils, the WPC has issued Excessive Rainfall Outlooks.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061107-1782396238753.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061131-1782396247909.png">While severe weather will be a concern, heavy rainfall may become the more widespread threat. Abundant atmospheric moisture will allow storms to produce intense downpours, and some areas could see rainfall rates of more than an inch per hour. Repeated rounds of thunderstorms moving over the same locations may quickly overwhelm drainage systems and lead to flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 201258-1782353603628.png">We will continue to monitor the progression of the system as it moves across the region. Residents in areas prone to flooding or severe weather are encouraged to stay informed of the latest forecasts and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts throughout the weekend.&nbsp;

Flood Threat Persists This Week

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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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FRONT RANGE - Large hail and strong winds pushed through portions of Colorado, Wyoming, and into the Plains on Wednesday. The severe storm threat continues for these areas through the overnight hours. Hail during the day topped out at 2.5" near Fort Morgan, Colorado.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 192204-1782350630005.png"><h2>Severe Outlooks</h2>The SPC has maintained an ENHANCED risk (level 3 out of 5) for severe weather across portions of Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming through Thursday morning. Destructive winds and very large hail remain possible with severe storms that form off the Rockies. Be sure to protect your property before the storms arrive.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 190738-1782350716157.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 190748-1782350720619.png">For Thursday, we'll see a similar setup persisting. A SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk has been issued for relatively the same areas. This outlook, however, extents into the Southern Plains as well.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 192536-1782350745041.png">On Friday, a level 1 out of 5, MARGINAL, risk is in place for the same spots as thunderstorms fire off the same region and into the High Plains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 192539-1782350769617.png"><h1>FORECAST</h1>Strong to severe storms will continue through the night across the front range with all modes of severe weather possible from Colorado, Eastern Wyoming, and Western Nebraska. The Urban Corridor could see some strong storms too and the same process will pretty much repeat itself Thursday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/front range overnight bams-1782350806570.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Stay tuned to WeatherNation for the latest. We've got you covered through everything severe weather!

Front Range Overnight Storms, More Thursday and Friday

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We interviewed just one of the many organizations helping aid Florence recovery on Wednesday. We spoke to Holly Baker with the American Red Cross to get an update on how operations are going, and also how you can help people impacted by the storm.

[playlist type="video" ids="97317,97318,97319"]

We have compiled three short videos (above) with the primary information from the American Red Cross. Feel free to play through the videos. We have also compiled a list of key messages below:

<img class="alignnone wp-image-97321 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/09/9pm-2.jpg" alt="Florence Flooding: A Way You Can Help" width="1826" height="931" />
<ul>
 	<li>The American Red Cross mobilized nearly 3,000 volunteers across the East</li>
 	<li>Hundreds more volunteers are waiting to be deployed in case of need</li>
 	<li>Many shelters remain open to help people affected by the storm</li>
 	<li>Visit www.redcross.org to make a secure monetary donation</li>
 	<li>You can text FLORENCE to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross</li>
 	<li>Holly Baker of the American Red Cross says just $10 goes a long way with regard to aid</li>
</ul>
For WeatherNation, Meteorologist <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/steven-glazier/">Steve Glazier</a>