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.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/sigtrough-1782329631706.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>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"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782420639997.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782420715090.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>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">

Jesse Kelley

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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Photo: Iron Fire getting doused with a retardant drop. USFS 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/2026/06/1-1782420350113.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.Smoke from these wildfires has become a concern well beyond Utah. Plumes have spread into Colorado, prompting daily Air Quality Alerts across parts of the state.<h1>Increasing Danger</h1>Fire weather danger will be multi-faceted the next several days, with the risk for additional new thunderstorms on Thursday. Thunderstorms are expected in the region, but heavy rain will not fall everywhere lightning occurs. Be on the look out for new plumes of smoke and alert authorities right away if you see one.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782420503495.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>A strong trough will increase winds dramatically on Friday, 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 2026-06-25 071339-1782393359687.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 Friday, sustained at 20-30 mph for some areas, with very low humidity.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-25 071355-1782393350313.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 Develops Friday

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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 through the Great Lakes and will track through New England to end the week, bringing severe weather chances to the Northeast on Thursday and Friday (below). 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/pic5-1782421678032.png">The area between the warm front and cold front on the SE side of the low will (known as the warm sector) will play host to lines of thunderstorms developing in the afternoons. With spin added from the low pressure itself, a few storms could rotate enough to produce a tornado or two. Storms will push farther south and east on Friday, with a few strong storms possible in New England and farther south along the cold front in the Ohio Valley.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-25 09-14-28-1782400525244.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/Screenshot 2026-06-25 091413-1782400516304.png">You Eastern Regional Forecast can be viewed on demand anytime with the WeatherNation app, or tune in live at :10 past the hour!

Patrick Crawford

Severe Storms Hit the Midwest Again, Track East to End the Week

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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. By the afternoon, the developing low pressure system will spur a new round of storms, with increased tornado and hail potential. Storms will track east with the low into Friday, with isolated severe storms and flooding expected. By Saturday, a few storms will linger but the pattern changes as high pressure begins to move in.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/FORECAST-1782400119561.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The Storm Prediction Center has issued a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe storms across Kansas, Oklahoma, the Texas panhandle, Missouri, and Arkansas for Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/PIC 2-1782399936545.jpg">This slight includes the chance for several tornadoes, some of which could be intense. Please have multiple ways to get alerts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/PIC 2-1782400441895.jpg"> The SPC has also issued an outlook for severe weather across the same areas for Friday, but at a MARGINAL level (1 out of 5).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-25 045911-1782390612568.png"> These storms will train rain over the same areas, which will lead to a flooding risk in some of the same spots that have already dealt with flooding 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.

'MCS' Season! Severe Weather & Flooding Threats for the Plains & Midwest

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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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Meteorologist Jesse Kelley is excited to join the talented staff at Weather Nation. Jesse spent most of his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama. The state of Alabama is prone to seeing various types of weather from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter weather. For college, Jesse attended the University of South Alabama where he received his degree in Broadcast Meteorology along with minors in Math and Geography. From Alabama, Jesse started his broadcast television working three years at KAVU-TV in Victoria. Recently, he finished a stint in Shreveport, LA. Jesse and his wife are looking forward to making the Rocky Mountains and Colorado home. If you would like to follow me, you can follow me on Twitter @JesseKelleywx and on Facebook at Meteorologist Jesse Kelley.

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This week, an upper-level ridge has taken over the West. Some heat alerts still remain for the Pacific Northwest. Regardless, it's still going to be a hot one on Wednesday. There will be an area of low-pressure that will bring cooler temperatures by the end of the week for the Northwest.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 042130-1782296500354.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782325479215.png"><h1>Southwest</h1>In Southern California, heat advisories have been issued for parts of the LA Metro through Thursday. The worst of heat will be in areas northeast of Downtown Los Angeles. Wednesday, high temperatures are expected to reach the 90s from Calabasas to San Bernardino.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782325640051.png">In the Desert Southwest, Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories have been issued into Thursday as well. Highs for Phoenix will be in the 110s but as the heat dome slides eastward high temperatures will cool slightly to just in the 100s!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782325857570.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 042218-1782296553458.png">

Another Day of Heat For the West Before Changes

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All-time record highs were set in several locations in Montana and Idaho on Saturday, including areas where wildfires started over the weekend.

West Glacier, Montana recorded its hottest temperature on record of 100° on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Missoula, Montana, along with Pierce, Idaho (105°). Thompson Falls, Montana tied its all-time hottest temperature (107°) as well.

<img class="alignleft wp-image-95303 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/08/pierce.png" alt="All-Time Record Highs Set in Montana, Idaho on Saturday" width="1920" height="1080" /> <img class="alignleft wp-image-95304 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/08/west-glacier.png" alt="All-Time Record Highs Set in Montana, Idaho on Saturday" width="1920" height="1080" />

Unfortunately, fires started over the weekend in the area, partially due to the incredibly intense heat.

https://twitter.com/GlacierNPS/status/1028697252028530688

The heat has built under a dominant ridge of high pressure over the West, continuing intense warmth across the region through the week. Cooler temperatures, however, are already starting to filter into the area, and it won't be nearly as hot for the upcoming week. Temperatures are expected to mainly be around seasonal averages for mid-August, as the ridge of high pressure flattens out.

<img class="alignleft wp-image-95305 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/08/miz7.png" alt="All-Time Record Highs Set in Montana, Idaho on Saturday" width="1920" height="1080" />

Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the record-breaking heat and the continued dry conditions across the West.

For WeatherNation: Meteorologist <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/chris-bianchi/">Chris Bianchi</a>