Stormy eastern half, watching Erin

A stagnant pattern is in place with hot temperatures dominating the western half of the country and storms dotting the eastern half. These details, along with our daily tropical outlook, are published every weekday at 5 a.m. ET.

The WeatherRadar shows showers and storms dotting much of the eastern half of the country once again today. Two slow-moving fronts will continue to bring scattered showers and storms from Texas to New England.

While the severe threat is low, a few intense storms are possible this evening in South Dakota, with gusty winds and hail likely in Pierre and Rapid City. Scattered storms are forecast for cities like Houston, Nashville, Tenn., Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and New York City.

While the West Coast remains dry mainly, the heat persists, with well-above-average temperatures extending from the Pacific Northwest into the Southwest.

The TemperatureRadar shows heat building across the western half, with highs reaching the upper-90s in Boise, Idaho, and Salt Lake City. Phoenix remains hot, with highs reaching the 110s, and much of Texas will surge into the 90s. Another hot day is expected in the Northeast and New England. Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C., are expected to see highs in the 90s today.

Tropical Storm Erin formed Monday morning. Erin is currently in the central Atlantic with sustained winds of 45 mph, moving west at a speed of 20 mph. Erin is expected to become the first hurricane of the season as it continues to head into favorable conditions for development.

An area of interest in the northern Atlantic has a low chance of development this morning, but is moving into cooler waters. A tropical wave in the Caribbean has a low chance of development as it moves into the Gulf tomorrow.

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