US Braces for Severe Weather Across Multiple States This Week: What To Know
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Millions of Americans could this week be affected by a range of extreme weather conditions, from a heat dome to floods and severe storms, forecasters warn.
Heat Warnings
"A heat dome will bring near record breaking hot conditions across the South Central U.S. this week, with cities like Wichita Falls, Dallas, and Kansas City expected to hit 100 degrees for the first time this season," AccuWeather meteorologist Kai Kerkow told Newsweek on Monday.
As of Monday morning, extreme heat warnings—issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) when "extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring"—were in place for parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois.
Heat index values—which measure how hot it feels to the human body when temperature and humidity are considered—were expected to reach the triple digits in these areas, with up to 115 degrees possible for portions of north central and northwest Mississippi, the NWS said.
Additionally, less severe heat advisories covered areas from South Dakota in the north to Texas and Florida in the south, as well as the Carolinas in the east.
The sun rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building in New York City, a day ahead of the summer solstice and an expected heatwave on June 19, 2025, as seen...
The sun rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building in New York City, a day ahead of the summer solstice and an expected heatwave on June 19, 2025, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. MoreKerkow said the heat dome would temporarily shift east this week, bringing temperatures in the mid-90s to major cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
"A cold front looks to squash the heat over the Northeast by Sunday," Kerkow said.
Flood Warnings
Flood watches, where flash flooding can be caused by by excessive rain, were in place on Monday in parts of Oregon, New Mexico, Kentucky, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri, according to the NWS.
AccuWeather said that there was a risk in the early part of the week of significant and potentially life-threatening flash flooding, extending from the Midwest to the East Coast.
The threat of heavy rainfall was expected to diminish by late Monday, the outlet said in an advisory shared with Newsweek on Sunday, although several inches of rain were expected to fall across parts of nearly a dozen states from Iowa to Virginia. The most substantial rainfall—ranging from four to eight inches—was projected for an area stretching from southeastern Iowa through the Virginias, where the risk of life-threatening flash flooding remained particularly high.
"We should see a break from the threat for widespread flooding concerns across the country until the end of the week when a tropical disturbance could result in scattered heavy rain and flooding across the Southeast," Kerkow told Newsweek on Monday.
Severe Storms
Severe storms also threaten to bring large hail, strong winds, and even the possibility for tornados to multiple states in the first half of this week.
According to the NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC), nearly 4.7 million Americans across parts of Montana, the Dakotas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado faced the greatest risk on Monday, as did portions of Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana.
On Tuesday, the risk zone will primarily center around Minnesota and neighboring portions of Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota, according to the agency.
On Wednesday, the highest risk area was forecast by the SPC to move east slightly and center around Wisconsin, as well as Michigan's Upper Peninsula and eastern Minnesota.
Fire Warnings
Red flag warnings—which the NWS issues when weather conditions are conducive to the spread of fires—were in effect across the northern half of Nevada as well as central and southwestern Wyoming on Monday. In Nevada, areas affected included the Northern Sierra Front as well as the Western Nevada Basin and Range.
These were issued due to gusty winds and low relative humidity values and were in effect until Monday evening, the agency said.
Forecasts can be subject to change. The NWS issues regular updates on its website and social media channels.
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