Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in the Central U.S.

A broad threat of scattered severe thunderstorms and heavy showers will exist across the central and southern High Plains into Sunday, including areas well off to the east into the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley. Smoke from Canadian wildfires will continue to bring unhealthy air quality conditions to portions of the Great Lakes and the central Plains. Read More >

August temperatures hovered around average, but rainfall was quite a bit below average at all climate sites. The lack of rain caused drought conditions to worsen, with some areas experiencing extreme to exceptional drought and at least moderate to severe drought persisting across most of the region. Rivers and streams remain around to below average as a result and soils remain dry.

CPC outlooks suggest that warm and dry conditions may persist through the remainder of September, with equal chances for above, below, or around average temperatures for the next three months going into fall. There is some signal for below normal precipitation in the next three months.

NOTE: No records were tied or broken at any climate site in August 2023.