Summer Heat to Persist in the West Coast; Flash Flooding Threat Continues in the Southwest US and Rockies

Weather in the United States indicates the persistence of summer heat in the Western US and monsoonal moisture across the Southwest US and southern parts of the Rock Mountains as of Monday, June 27, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The weather conditions could continue in the coming days based on the latest weather forecast.

The NWS has been calling the extreme weather as a "dangerous heat" over the past several weeks, placing millions of Americans under heat alerts and heat advisories.

A heat wave, or heat dome, recently wreaked havoc across the Central US and its surrounding areas that has led to a number of human and animal casualties.

Meanwhile, the newly-forecasted monsoonal moisture is prompting flash flooding threat due to torrential rain across the said US regions over recent days.

The inclement weather paved the way for the occurrence of torrential rain and even thunderstorms.

The US weather agency also reported that cooler weather has been observed in the Northwest and Lower Mississippi Valley, resulting in recent record highs.

In addition, heat will also build up across the northern and central parts of the Great Plains.

Furthermore, heavy rain is also possible in the Southeast US and the Gulf Coast.

Latest Weather Forecast

(Photo : Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

In its latest short-range forecast, the NWS' Weather Prediction (WPC) on Monday issued the said weather advisory which is valid from Tuesday to Thursday, June 28 to June 30.

However, the weather outlook is still subject to change in the next few hours or days, particularly the movement of weather patterns and storm systems over the country.

In relation to the monsoonal moisture, this is an update of the article of Nature World News regarding the so-called forecasted monsoon rainfall by the WPC in College Park, Maryland, on Sunday, June 26.

The latest outlook suggested that the monsoonal pattern has started subsiding in New Mexico and Arizona.

However, floodwaters could still affect low-lying areas and communities near bodies of water.

Also Read: NWS Issues Warning for 'Monsoonal Rain' and Flash Flooding in New Mexico

Summer Heat

As the official US summer season started last week, over 33% of the US population were placed under heat warnings due to record high temperatures in different cities and towns across the nation.

The most affected region was the Southwest US.

The heat alerts urged over 125 million Americans to stay indoors due to the scorching temperatures, while experts have also warned that such hot weather could become the new normal amid the climate crisis, according to The Guardian.

In 2021, hundreds of people have died in the states of Oregon and Washington as a summer heat wave blanketed the Pacific Northwest.

Related casualties were also reported in the province of British Columbia in Canada.

Monsoonal Moisture

Despite the flash flooding threat posed by the monsoonal moisture, rain showers in late June has been perceived beneficial by some, as it could also address the fire threat in the region.

In Southwest Colorado, fire officials remain on guard in spite of the arrival of the monsoon rainfall, according to the Durango Herald.

The local media outlet also cited the NWS' statement that minor flooding is ongoing in several areas across the state.

Related Article: Monsoonal Moisture Continues Across the Southwest US: Heavy Rain with Flash Flooding Expected