Heavy rain will bring a flood threat to the central Gulf Coast today. Heat builds in the Northwest, with cooler-than-average temperatures lingering from the central Plains to the Northeast. The Breakfast Brief is published Monday through Friday at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

The WeatherRadar shows showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain over parts of the Ohio Valley, Central Appalachians and the Mid-Atlantic today. Severe storms are possible across much of the Southeast, including in Dothan, Ala., Augusta, Ga., Raleigh, N.C., and Richmond, Va. Damaging winds and hail are the main threats, but isolated tornadoes will be possible.

Flash flooding is also a concern today across eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, and into the Washington, D.C., metro area. Make sure your Weather & Radar app alerts are on.

The TemperatureRadar shows a building heat wave across the western half of the country, with cities like Los Angeles, running upwards of 20 degrees above average.

Record highs are possible in cities such as Sacramento and Redding, Calif., where triple-digit heat is expected. Reno, Nev., and Salt Lake City will also reach the mid-90s this afternoon. Widespread record highs are possible on Saturday.

When severe weather is in your forecast, you can be prepared. Follow along with these tools to stay weather-aware.