Record heat in the Southwest

Record heat is expected in the Southwest today. Rain lingers across the Southeast, and severe storms are expected across the northern Plains this afternoon and evening. These details, along with our daily tropical outlook, are published every weekday at 5 a.m. ET.

The WeatherRadar shows a stationary front still draped across the South, keeping rain chances around for cities like Jacksonville, Fla., Savannah, Ga., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Raleigh, N.C., and Virginia Beach, Va. Some localized flooding is possible, but for many, it will just be a wet day.

Strong storms are possible across the northern Plains in the afternoon and evening as a system moves in from the west. Damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes are possible across portions of Montana, the Dakotas and western Minnesota. Cities at risk include Billings, Mont., Bismarck and Fargo, N.D., and Pierre, S.D.

Air quality is expected to improve today across the Northeast as wildfire smoke filters out. However, those in sensitive groups will still want to keep an eye on our air quality tool.

The TemperatureRadar shows dangerous heat building across the Southwest. Record highs are possible in cities like Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., as highs surge into the 110s. Stay cool and hydrated.

Post-tropical cyclone Dexter continues to move northeast and is no threat to land. However, there are two other areas of interest we are watching. 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% 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.