What to expect for the long holiday weekend
Independence Day fireworks over San Diego Bay in San Diego, California. (Image credit: Getty Images)
If you’re preparing to spend time outdoors over the first few days of July, be sure to check your local forecast before you head out.
According to forecasters from NOAA’s National Weather Service, weather throughout the extended holiday weekend will be hot, humid and could lead to storm development for several locations across the country.
Dangerously hot temperatures: Here’s where
Although temperatures will cool to below hazardous levels across the majority of the south, hazardous heat and humidity is still expected to impact locations across the Southeast through Independence Day.
Excessive heat will also be present from the Desert Southwest into interior California and the interior Northwest.
Well above-average temperatures will develop across the upper Midwest Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures along the East Coast will remain near-to-above average through the extended holiday weekend.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms could dampen celebrations, disrupt fireworks
Have a severe weather plan in place. Two slow-moving storm systems will cross the country this weekend into early next week (of July 3), resulting in chances for severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall for a number of cities.
Clusters of thunderstorms with a main threat of damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding could impact outdoor festivities and Independence Day celebrations on Monday and Tuesday in the Plains, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and along the Rockies. The West Coast is expected to remain dry.
Rain and thunderstorms could also disrupt Independence Day celebrations on Monday and Tuesday in the northern Plains, Southeast, Northeast and along the Rockies. The West Coast is expected to remain dry.
Heading to the beach? Beware of potentially deadly rip currents
Everyone who plans to spend time at the beach this extended holiday weekend should be aware of their local beach hazards and rip current forecasts. A moderate-to-high risk of rip currents will be in place for beaches along the East Coast through mid-week. The rip current risk is also expected to be moderate along beaches in southern California, portions of the Gulf Coast.
Remember: If you’re caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current.
Stay Weather-Ready this Fourth of July weekend!
Be sure to check out these important summer safety tips and resources before heading outside, and always remember — when thunder roars, go indoors. Follow these additional tips all year:
- To view a customized weather forecast and current conditions for your area, visit weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov and enter your ZIP Code.
- Follow @NWS on Twitter and your local NOAA National Weather Service forecast office on social media.
- Learn what a rip current is, what it looks like from the beach and how to survive one.
