Monitoring Tsunami Impacts Across the Pacific; Air Quality Concerns; Dangerous Heat; Critical Fire Weather for the West

Tsunami impacts continue for portions of the Pacific basin. Wildfire smoke causes unhealthy air in Midwest to Great Lakes. Heat dome spans Mississippi Valley to Mid-Atlantic with excessive heat warnings and advisories. Critical fire weather in Great Basin to Pacific Northwest (dry thunderstorms). Cold front spawns severe storms/heavy rain in Central U.S. today, shifts to East Coast Thursday. Read More >

May 23, 2011
Severe Weather & Tornadoes

A line of strong to severe thunderstorms moved quickly east through the region during the evening hours of May 23. There were widespread reports of wind damage from these storms, with measured wind gusts of 50-60 MPH being quite common, and a few reports coming in with even higher values. Along the squall line, several weak and brief circulations developed. Four tornadoes have been confirmed, along with numerous locations with significant straight-line wind damage.