Apex Wx

Heavy Downpours and Localized Flooding Possible Across Much of the United States
A widespread threat for locally heavy rainfall will continue today across much of the country, stretching from the Southwest through the Midwest, South, and much of the East Coast. While widespread flooding is not expected, slow-moving thunderstorms may produce intense downpours capable of causing isolated flash flooding, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas. The atmosphere contains abundant tropical moisture, but the lack of a strong weather system means storm development will depend on smaller-scale features such as sea breezes, terrain, and leftover storm boundaries. Areas of Arkansas, eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, and southern New York could see a somewhat greater chance of localized flooding if thunderstorms repeatedly move over the same locations. Additional pockets of heavy rain are also possible across Oklahoma, north Texas, Louisiana, the central Gulf Coast, and much of Florida.

Critical Fire Weather Threat Continues Across the Interior West
Hot, dry, and occasionally windy conditions will maintain an elevated wildfire danger across parts of the western United States today. The greatest concern is across the northern Intermountain West, where very low humidity, dry vegetation, and afternoon wind gusts will create favorable conditions for rapid fire growth if new fires develop. Relative humidity may fall into the single digits in some locations, allowing vegetation to dry even further. Across southern Nevada and southwestern Utah, isolated afternoon thunderstorms are expected as monsoonal moisture spreads northward. However, these storms are likely to produce little rainfall because of the very dry air near the ground. Instead, they may generate powerful and erratic wind gusts that could quickly spread existing wildfires or spark new ones with lightning. Interior Southern California will also remain extremely hot, with temperatures reaching around 110 degrees and very low humidity, creating localized fire weather concerns despite generally lighter winds.