Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

July 1, 2023 - 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 by the July fourth holiday. Temperatures along the East Coast will remain near average through the extended holiday weekend.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms could dampen celebrations, disrupt fireworks

Have a severe weather plan in place this extended holiday weekend. A slow-moving storm system 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 from the Mid-Mississippi Valley into the central Appalachians Saturday and Sunday, with a similar threat developing across the Mid-Atlantic late Sunday into early Tuesday. 

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 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 the weekend and into early next week. The rip current risk is also expected to be moderate to high along beaches in southern California, portions of the Gulf Coast and Puerto Rico. 

Remember: If you’re caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current.

Hazy skies from wildfire smoke can reduce visibility and affect your health

Smoke from Canadian wildfires may continue to impact air quality and make it more difficult to see fireworks on July 4th. Some improvement in air quality is expected by Sunday and Monday in the Midwest and along the East Coast. However, forecasters expect wildfire smoke to return by Independence Day as winds from the north are expected to move the smoke into the northern tier and northeastern U.S.

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.
  Source: NOAA