Central heat, stormy northern tier

Severe storms will be possible this afternoon and evening across portions of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Heat builds across the central U.S., and soggy conditions stick around along the Southeast coast. These details, along with our daily tropical outlook, are published every weekday at 5 a.m. ET.

The WeatherRadar shows a system tracking along the northern tier, bringing the threat of severe storms to cities like Fargo, N.D., Sioux Falls, S.D., and Minneapolis. Damaging winds and hail are the main threats, but isolated tornadoes are possible.

Low pressure will continue to organize off the Southeast coast today. As this low drifts northeast, it may organize and gain tropical characteristics. We are monitoring this with our tropical update. The front associated with this low will bring more rain to the Southeast coast and Florida. Some localized flooding will be possible from Jacksonville, Fla., to Wilmington, N.C.

The TemperatureRadar shows dangerous heat building across the center of the country. Temperatures will surge into the 100s and 100s in cities like Tucson and Phoenix. El Paso, Texas and Oklahoma City will also make it over 100 this afternoon, with Kansas City and Denver nearing the century mark as well.

A weak low off the Southeast coast could develop some tropical or subtropical characteristics over the weekend before heading off into cooler waters and less favorable conditions for development. This area has a 20 percent chance of development.

Our eyes are also on a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic, which has a 60 percent chance of development. A tropical depression could form late this weekend or early next week.

Thinking about the weekend and even next week? Use our 14-day forecast to make your plans. Click here for more details.