Weather
Excessive heat will persist across the southern Plains, Desert Southwest, and much of the West, with highs approaching 120°F in the lower desert elevations by late week. The prolonged heat will continue to increase stress on crops, livestock, rangeland, and irrigation supplies.
A more active monsoon pattern is expected to bring 1 to 2 inches or more of rain from the Four Corners into the western Corn Belt, while lingering showers could produce 1 to 4 inches across parts of the Northeast and lower Southeast.
Meanwhile, hot, dry weather will continue across the southern Plains, California, the Great Basin, and the Pacific Northwest, maintaining moisture stress for crops and pastures.
Looking ahead to August 1–5, the NWS outlook favors above-normal temperatures across most of the country. Wetter-than-normal conditions are expected in the Desert Southwest and in areas east of a line from coastal Texas to Lake Erie.
