Dangerous Heat in the Central and Southern U.S.; Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in the Northern Plains

Dangerous, prolonged heat is expected across portions of the Central and Southeast U.S. through July. Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected over parts of the northern Plains into the upper Mississippi Valley Tuesday, with damaging winds and large hail as the primary threats. Heavy rainfall could lead to areas of flooding across the northern Plains, Upper Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. Read More >

Temperatures were above average across the entire region this January, while precipitation and snowfall were variable across the region. For much of northeast Minnesota, particularly the Iron Range and areas north, precipitation was below average. Northwest Wisconsin and extending towards the Twin Ports, precipitation was above average. January 2023 was in some ways an opposite to December 2022, which saw below normal temperatures and nearly uniformly above average precipitation. Abnormally dry conditions previously present over northwest Wisconsin are no longer present for the most part.

The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting equal chances for above or below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation in the 1 to 3 month outlooks.