Overview
- Heat index readings are climbing toward or above 100°F in many neighborhoods as humidity returns and highs sit in the low to mid 90s.
- The National Weather Service has issued Heat Advisories for parts of New England for Thursday and Friday, an Extreme Heat Warning for Southern California deserts through Saturday, and a Red Flag Warning near Billings for late Thursday into the evening.
- Daily afternoon and evening scattered storms are expected through the weekend, with individual cells capable of producing brief, tropical‑style downpours that cause localized flash flooding.
- A few areas are under a marginal severe risk for damaging wind gusts while very dry, windy spots in the West face elevated wildfire danger from low humidity and gusty winds.
- Forecasters say storms could briefly shave peak temperatures where they fall but drought and fire risk will persist where storms miss, so public guidance stresses heat safety, flood awareness, and fire precautions.