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 >

A very noticeable pattern change took place throughout May compared to April and March as very warm and dry weather prevailed. This led to a reversal from pretty widespread areal flooding due to the rapid melting of an area-wide deep snowpack in April to a very dry pattern with flash drought conditions developing through the month. Rainfall was below average everywhere, and for some places, several inches below average. Ashland recorded the driest May on record! Temperatures were also several degrees above average everywhere. As a result, rivers and streams are starting to fall below normal levels.