Severe Weather and Flooding Threats for the Central U.S.; Dangerous Heat in the Southern and Western U.S.

Severe weather and flooding threats will continue for portions of the central U.S. over the next couple of days, with multiple rounds of thunderstorms expected. Dangerous heat will persist across the southern and western U.S. through mid-week. Hot and dry conditions will fuel fire weather concerns for the Intermountain West, where dry thunderstorms may spark additional wildfires. Read More >

A persistent upper level high pressure ridge set up over a good portion of the Rockies and Great Plains during late June and well into July, resulting in well above average temperatures and well below normal values of precipitation. These circumstances brought the quick onset of drought conditions across much of the central United States, and has been hard on area rivers, livestock and crops. Below is a table of just a few pictures from around the area showing the effects of the ongoing drought.


Main channel of the Platte River just east of Grand Island on Highway 34.	Main channel of the Platte River just east of Grand Island on Highway 34.	Main channel of the Platte River just east of Grand Island on Highway 34.

North channel of the Platte River along south Locust St. near Grand Island	South channel of the Platte River on South Locust St. near Grand Island	Dry and cracked Platte riverbed.

Parched and cracked ground.	Distressed bean field.	Dried-up corn field.

Leaves on the trees are already beginning to turn yellow and drop to the ground.	Lovewell Resevoir, KS. Photo courtesy of Kristin Reeve Washington.	Corn field near Gothenburg. Photo courtesy of Ryan Tullinger.