National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Extreme Heat and Excessive Rainfall This Week

A significant heat wave is underway for the Intermountain West, Northern Plains, and Upper Great Lakes, peaking in intensity through midweek and lingering across parts of the Northern Plains and Midwest until this weekend. In southwest Texas, excessive rainfall may bring a risk for potentially life-threatening flash and arroyo flooding through Thursday. Read More >

Does the sky look different to you? Did you see how strange the sun looked prior to sunset last evening? Well, a plume of smoke has circulated into the region. This smoke is originating from Canadian forest fires. It's all aloft and poses no danger here at the surface. However, it will make the sky look different. The sun will also look different (orange or pink) more than just a few minutes before sunset and after sunrise, as long as the smoke is around.

You can monitor the progress of the plume with a loop of visible satellite images here (only available during the daylight hours).