US Weekly Weather Records Digest

Storms & Severe Weather SPC reports · tornadoes · hail · wind

Storm
SPC Slight Risk across SD, NE, and northern KS — ample boundary-layer heating and a moist air mass along a surface trough will fuel storms with large hail initially, transitioning to severe wind gusts as storms grow upscale overnight. SPC Day 1
Storm
Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain from the Midwest into the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley — damaging wind gusts, hail, and isolated tornadoes along with high rainfall rates; Slight Risk (level 2/4) for excessive rainfall from repeated rounds of storms. WPC
Storm
Eastern ND into northern MN expecting thunderstorm development along a cold front Friday, with occasional damaging gusts possible. SPC Day 1
Near
Repeated rounds of rain maintaining ongoing flash-flood threat across the Gulf Coast, Deep South, and central Appalachians through the weekend. WPC

Drought
As of July 28, 2026, ~40% of the US (and 48% of the Lower 48) is in some level of drought — up 4.6% from the previous week. 47 states experiencing Moderate Drought (D1) or worse; approximately 116 million people affected. Drought has worsened for the third straight week. US Drought Monitor
Broken
Flash drought rapidly intensifying across MN, WI, IA, and IL — widespread degradations with temperature anomalies 2–8°F+ above normal driving rapid soil-moisture loss across the Upper Midwest. prev: 3rd straight week worsening Drought Monitor
Drought
TX Panhandle drought intensifying — year-to-date precipitation deficits of 3–8+ inches driving severe conditions. Drought Monitor
Drought
Southwest reservoir levels critically low: Lake Powell at 23% full and Lake Mead at 27% full as of July 26. Drought Monitor
Context
Bright spots: heavy precipitation improved conditions across the Eastern US this week; AZ benefited from monsoonal rains (150–250% of normal). CA reservoirs remain at or above historical averages. Drought.gov

Near
Recent rainfall of 1–5+ inches has generally improved drought conditions across the region, though longer-term groundwater deficits persist in RI and MA. Drought Monitor
Context
Severe thunderstorms expected across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic through the end of the week as the active pattern continues. NWS

Broken
Flash drought exploding across the region — widespread degradations across MN, WI, IA, and IL for the third straight week. Minnesota running 2–8°F+ above normal with rapid soil-moisture depletion. prev: 3 consecutive weeks worsening Drought Monitor
Storm
Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain shifting Friday into the Upper Midwest and mid-Mississippi Valley — damaging gusts and flash flooding risk. WPC

Storm
Active severe pattern bringing damaging wind gusts, hail, and isolated tornadoes from the Midwest into the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley through the weekend. WPC
Context
Flash-flood threat ongoing across central Appalachians from repeated rounds of heavy rain. WPC

Near
Heavy precipitation this week led to drought improvements across parts of the Eastern US, though the long-term deficit from the driest Sept 2025–Mar 2026 on record (131-year NCEI record) still underlies conditions in GA, NC, and SC. Drought.gov
Storm
Daily scattered to widespread thunderstorms producing heavy downpours — repeated rounds of rain maintaining flash-flood risk across the Gulf Coast and Deep South. WPC

Drought
TX Panhandle severe drought intensifying — year-to-date precipitation deficits of 3–8+ inches with no relief in the near-term outlook. Drought Monitor
Near
Extreme heat expanding across TX — overnight lows struggling to drop below 80°F, with record high minimum temperatures at risk. Heat risk rated Moderate to Major through the extended period. WPC
Context
Hit-or-miss rain across the Plains creating both drought improvements and further drying — mixed results week over week. Drought.gov

Storm
SPC Slight Risk today across SD and NE — storms expected to produce large hail early, then transition to damaging winds as they grow upscale overnight. SPC Day 1
Drought
Nebraska panhandle exceptional drought (D4) persists — pastures and dryland wheat remain in the poorest condition seen in decades. Drought Monitor
Near
Heat wave intensifying and expanding into the northern High Plains this weekend — daily record highs at risk. WPC

Near
Dangerous heat wave continuing — widespread highs in the 110s across AZ lower deserts with the pattern intensifying into the Intermountain West through the weekend. WPC
Drought
Lake Powell at 23% full and Lake Mead at 27% as of July 26 — critically low despite AZ seeing 150–250% of normal monsoonal rainfall. Eastern CO and eastern NM saw drought expansion this week. Drought Monitor
Context
El Niño continues with a 97% chance of persisting through early spring 2027 — expected to strengthen into winter, which may further influence Southwest precipitation patterns. CPC

Near
Heat wave expanding into the Intermountain West this weekend — daily record highs likely as the western ridge intensifies. WPC
Context
Snowpack across WA, OR, and ID was among the lowest in the 45-year SNOTEL record at April 1; peak summer demand season now underway with water supply at or near historic lows at most Oregon forecast points. Drought.gov

Near
Central Valley and inland CA pushing well above 100°F as the western heat wave continues through August — daily record highs at risk. WPC
Context
CA reservoirs remain at or above historical averages — a rare bright spot in the western water picture. Drought Monitor

Broken
US Virgin Islands in extreme drought (D3-S) — water rationing in effect for farmers. Puerto Rico also facing significant drought conditions. prev: worsening trend Drought Monitor