Severe heat wave expands eastward across US, triggers warnings of storms, rain

The United States will face troublesome weather conditions over the weekend, which will be marked by dangerous heat, severe storms, and massive fire risks in several places across the country.

A surface low pressure system over the Northern Plains combined with stationary fronts across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes fuelled severe thunderstorms on Friday. North Dakota and Northern Minnesota are under a high risk of severe storms, with tornadoes, intense winds and large hail also expected.

Additionally, portions of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin face a risk of flash flooding due to several rounds of heavy rainfall.

Excessive heat warnings are also in place for the Upper Midwest and Northern/Central Plains, where record high minimum temperatures overnight could amplify storm activity. Shortwave energy rounding an upper ridge is expected to bring more heavy rain and severe storms to the Lower Great Lakes and interior Northeast on Saturday.

In the western US, a deep upper-level low will move into the region, ushering in cooler temperatures but increasing wildfire dangers. Very dry and windy conditions beneath the upper trough’s base have prompted a critical risk of fire weather across parts of the Great Basin and Four Corners area. Residents in those regions should remain vigilant as fire potential rises sharply this weekend.

Meanwhile, an upper ridge will strengthen over the Eastern US, driving dangerously high temperatures. This will lead to heat advisories and warnings as record-breaking heat intensifies throughout Central and Eastern states. The combination of extreme heat poses serious health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, making heat safety measures essential.

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