An intense heat wave is expected to hit Florida and other states, while the Pacific Northwest will experience unseasonably cold weather and potential late-season snow in the Rocky Mountains. This chaotic weather map is due to colliding fronts that could lead to severe thunderstorms and flash flooding in parts of the Midwest. A plume of tropical moisture is also expected to reach the central Gulf Coast, bringing heavy rain early next week.
In the Northwest, a trough of low pressure brought thunderstorms and hail to Seattle, while frost warnings prompted gardeners in northern Idaho to protect delicate plants. In Phoenix, temperatures reached 111 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting thousands of residents to seek relief at cooling centers. The threat of heavy rains in Florida is dissipating, but some areas remain flooded due to recent storms dropping up to 20 inches of rain in southern parts of the state.
The U.S. is bracing for extreme weather, from a heat wave to a potential snowstorm in parts of Montana. This comes as hurricane season begins, with forecasters predicting an active season. Temperatures are rising across the southern parts of the country, with cities like Atlanta and El Paso experiencing high temperatures. Despite Arizona’s monsoon season beginning, no rain is predicted for most of the coming week.
An atmospheric river of moist air is causing a rare “moderate risk of excessive rainfall” in Minnesota, with up to 7 inches of rain expected. The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee saw tens of thousands of attendees dealing with the heat, while the Northeast is also expected to experience record-breaking heat next week. Last year saw a record number of heat waves in the U.S., particularly in the South and Southwest. Parts of Montana are under winter storm watches with potential for wet snow lasting into Monday night.
The connection between the extreme heat and cold weather is highlighted by the northwestern cold front bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms to western Washington. Hikers in the Cascade Mountains and Rocky Mountains may also see snow at lower elevations than normal. Winter weather watches have been issued for parts of Idaho and Montana, with heavy snow expected in mountainous areas. This unusual weather pattern is a result of an amplified weather pattern causing fluctuations in temperature across the country.
