National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heat Persists in the South Central U.S. and Southwest; Heavy rains in the Desert Southwest and Central Plains

Sweltering heat remains across the South-Central Plains, Lower/Middle Mississippi Valley, and the Southwest this week with limited nighttime relief. Thunderstorms will bring heavy rainfall leading to localized flash flooding in portions of the Desert Southwest and central Plains. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of the central Plains into the Northeast. Read More >

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Last Map Update: Tue, Sep 8, 2026 at 10:56:20 pm PDT

A possible final hurrah from the summer heat brings widespread Moderate HeatRisk and areas of Major Heat Risk to Central California on Thursday. Valley temperatures up to 102 degrees with highs up to 75 degrees are expected, the warmest of these in urban areas and in the foothills where the thermal belt is strongest.
There is a 10-15% probability of thunderstorms in the Sierra Nevadas of Fresno and Tulare County on Wednesday afternoon. Any thunderstorms that develop have the potential to produce heavy rain alongside cloud-to-ground lightning, small hail, and strong gusts. Check weather.gov/hanford for the latest forecasts and warnings.

 

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