Record Heat Alerts for Millions in Southern US
More than 40 million people, primarily in southern Louisiana, central and southern Texas, and southern Florida, are currently under heat alerts, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The NWS states that there will be widespread record-breaking heat during the day, with temperatures reaching up to 120°F (48°C). Some monthly heat records may be broken in June.
The affected cities include Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Dallas, Lake Charles, Shreveport, New Orleans, and Miami.
- Thousands of flights delayed and hundreds canceled due to storms in the United States
In general, temperatures in this region will be 10 to 15 degrees above normal, and this heat wave is expected to persist until the middle of next week.
Risk of Severe Storms in the South
This Saturday and Sunday, parts of the southern US face an increased risk of severe weather, according to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC).
The highest risk on Saturday is centered in Oklahoma, parts of the Texas Territory, and southern Kansas. The SPC warns of potential damaging hail, severe wind gusts exceeding 70 mph (113 km/h), and a few tornadoes from southeastern Colorado to northwestern Arkansas.
Most storms are expected to develop during the late afternoon and evening hours.
Overall, approximately 60 million people are at risk from storms, spanning from Colorado to Florida.
The highest risk on Sunday is centered in the lower Mississippi River Valley, including Arkansas, much of Mississippi, and northern Louisiana, as storms from Saturday night move eastward during the early morning hours.
A new round of storms is likely to develop across this region and continue into the tip of Florida on Sunday afternoon and evening, bringing damaging winds, large hail, and a few isolated tornadoes.
Additionally, heavy rains could cause isolated flash flooding in the Deep South, especially in parts of the Florida panhandle, as well as north and central Florida.