As the weekend approaches, areas in the Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle, are bracing for heavy rainfall that could elevate flooding risks. Rainfall totals are anticipated to reach between 3 to 5 inches, with some isolated regions potentially facing up to 8 inches from slow-moving downpours.
Flood watches have been issued for east-central Alabama, southern Georgia, and parts of the Florida Panhandle as the region prepares for ongoing showers and thunderstorms. These conditions are expected to extend into Sunday evening, with heavy downpours capable of producing rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour.
Meanwhile, the Great Plains are also at risk of severe storms leading to flash flooding. A level 2 out of 4 flash flooding risk has been declared for central Texas and south-central Oklahoma, with the most intense showers and thunderstorms forecast for the evening. Cities such as Abilene, Wichita Falls, and parts of Fort Worth may experience hazardous weather conditions.
Severe storms could also impact southeast Colorado and southwest Kansas, heightening the risk of damaging winds, large hail, and potential tornadoes.
In addition to the severe weather in the Southeast and Plains, the persistent issue of Canadian smoke continues to affect parts of the United States. The combination of dry conditions and ongoing wildfires in Canada has led to smoke drifting into the Midwest, prompting air quality alerts from Nebraska to Michigan. Cities at risk include Des Moines, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Missouri, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The air quality alerts primarily concern sensitive groups, including individuals with heart or lung disease and asthma. However, parts of northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are expected to experience “unhealthy” air quality for all individuals.
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, over 700 wildfires have burned more than 2.5 million acres of wildland across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia this year. While smoke from these wildfires is impacting air quality across the U.S., it has not reached the severe levels seen in 2023 when Canadian wildfire smoke turned skies orange in major cities, including New York City.
Most of the Midwest is anticipated to see an improvement in smoky conditions as the smoke begins to disperse and move eastward, affecting the Great Lakes and interior Northeast. Hazy skies could linger into Monday for these regions.
In the West, hot and dry conditions are persisting, leading to extreme heat warnings in cities like Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. Temperatures in Phoenix are expected to soar as high as 118 degrees Fahrenheit through the following Friday, while Tucson could reach highs of 116 degrees.
This extreme heat, coupled with dry and windy conditions, poses an elevated fire weather danger across the West. Fire weather alerts are currently in effect for portions of Utah and Colorado, where humidity may drop below 10% and wind gusts could reach 25 to 35 mph. These conditions are favorable for new wildfires to ignite and for any existing fires to spread more rapidly.
A troubling wildfire that ignited on Friday in Southern California has already grown by more than 9,000 acres overnight and remains only 5% contained as of Sunday morning. The Gifford Fire, located in Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo counties, has consumed a total of 39,676 acres, primarily within the Los Padres National Forest, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
At least three individuals have sustained injuries due to the Gifford Fire, including one civilian who suffered moderate burn injuries and was evacuated by helicopter to the Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, California. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Cal Fire has stated that the fire is producing active flame fronts in steep and rugged terrain, which presents significant challenges for firefighting resources deployed in the area.
As the weather conditions evolve, residents across these affected regions are urged to remain vigilant to ensure safety amid the unprecedented natural events.
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