Daily briefing: Flood risk for the Mississippi Valley

The threat of flooding extends from the Central Plains to the Mississippi Valley. Cooler-than-average temperatures linger for much of the lower 48. These details, along with our daily tropical outlook, are published every weekday at 5 a.m. ET.

The WeatherRadar shows showers and storms stretching across portions of the Plains and Mississippi Valley today. Flash flooding will be possible in cities such as Colorado Springs, Colo., Tulsa, Okla., Fayetteville, Ark., Greenville, Miss., and Memphis, Tenn., where rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour are possible.

The WeatherRadar also shows a few showers in the eastern Great Lakes and interior Northeast, as well as in the Intermountain West. Dry lightning in the Pacific Northwest may spark a wildfire.

Cooler-than-average temperatures are sticking around across much of the country, with some exceptions. It will be a cool start in parts of the Ohio Valley, Mid-South and Mid-Atlantic, with temperatures dipping into the 40s and 50s. Highs will reach the 70s and 80s across the same regions this afternoon.

The TemperatureRadar shows heat building across the Pacific Northwest and Texas. The Northwest remains above average, with highs in the 80s and 90s. Highs in the mid and upper-90s are forecast across much of Texas.

Tropical Storm Fernand will stay at tropical storm strength today before dissipating later this week. It poses no threat to land.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season starts to ramp up in August and September. Learn more about how our hurricane alerts work here.