Showers and scattered thunderstorms will spread across the Northern/Central Plains and Upper/Middle Mississippi Valley today as a low pressure system glides through the area.
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Some locally heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding are possible along a quasi-stationary warm front that will slide across northeastern Kansas and northern Missouri.
Severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail, wind damage and a few tornadoes are expected to materialize across portions of the Central Plains and Lower/Middle Missouri Valley this afternoon and evening.
An enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms is in effect for parts of southeastern Nebraska, northeastern Kansas northwestern Missouri and southwestern Iowa.
Meanwhile, relatively warm, dry and windy conditions will contribute to a critical fire weather threat over west-central Texas today.
Showers and thunderstorms move into the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic on Wednesday.
Fortunately, severe thunderstorm and flash flooding risks will be marginal.
A new system will arrive over the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday morning, spreading rain over the coast and lower elevations as well as light mountain snow over the northern Cascades.
Showers and isolated thunderstorms develop over the Northern Rockies and the foothills of Montana by Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Meanwhile, scattered to isolated thunderstorm activity may also materialize over parts of the western Central/Southern Plains.
Record breaking heat is expected to expand beneath a ridge of high pressure situated over the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley through late week.
Widespread high temperature records are forecast to be tied or broken in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana through Thursday.
Highs in Texas are likely to be in the 90s and 100s over the next several days, which will pose a health risk to those who are heat sensitive or are without adequate air conditioning.
There will be little relief over night when lows will only drop into the upper 60s and 70s.
High temperatures will be between 20-30 degrees above average for much of central Texas/Oklahoma during this period. ■