Summary (tl;dr)

Today, widespread severe weather, including extreme heat, thunderstorms with potential for flash flooding, and damaging winds, is impacting large parts of the United States, while a developing tropical storm poses risks in the Eastern Pacific. Conversely, parts of the United Kingdom are experiencing pleasant, mild conditions.

Essential Background

The current global weather patterns are influenced by the rapid development of a strong El Niño event, forecast for the July-September 2026 season, which is expected to bring significant shifts in rainfall probabilities across the Pacific. This broader climate context sets the stage for the varied and sometimes extreme weather events being observed worldwide.

The Full Story

"Weather today" is trending due to a combination of significant meteorological events across several regions. In the southeastern United States, an unrelenting heatwave persists with heat index values reaching 105-110°F, accompanied by widespread thunderstorms capable of producing wet downbursts, gusty winds, and intense lightning. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms from South Carolina to southeastern Virginia, bringing threats of flash flooding and damaging wind gusts of 55-65 mph. Thunderstorms with heavy downpours are also expected in the Desert Southwest and Rocky Mountains, which could lead to localized flash flooding. Wildfire smoke continues to cause poor air quality and restrict visibility across the Great Lakes and Northeast regions.

Meanwhile, the Northern Plains, particularly eastern Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota, are under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms with potential for large hail and severe gusts. On the West Coast, Tropical Storm Elida in the Eastern Pacific is generating large southerly swells, leading to a High Surf Advisory for areas like Santa Barbara County, California, with waves potentially exceeding 6 to 8 feet. Elida is moving away from Mexico but is expected to become a hurricane, causing dangerous surf and rip currents along the western coast of Baja California. Forecasters are also monitoring a high risk of other tropical development southwest of Mexico.

In contrast to these severe conditions, Liverpool, United Kingdom, is enjoying a pleasant start to the weekend with sunny intervals and mild temperatures around 24°C, with similar agreeable weather expected throughout the coming week.

Why It Matters

The widespread severe weather across the United States poses significant risks to public safety and infrastructure, including potential for power outages, property damage from wind and hail, and dangerous driving conditions due to flash flooding. The lingering wildfire smoke impacts air quality and public health in the Great Lakes and Northeast. Tropical activity in the Eastern Pacific highlights concerns for coastal communities with dangerous surf and potential for future tropical cyclone development, which could affect regions like Hawaii. The varied weather conditions underscore the dynamic nature of global climate systems and the localized impacts of broader phenomena like El Niño.

Geographic Location

• Columbus County, North Carolina, United States (unrelenting heat, high heat index, thunderstorms, potential severe weather, heavy rainfall)
• Martin County, North Carolina, United States (strong thunderstorms, wind gusts)
• Pitt County, North Carolina, United States (strong thunderstorms, wind gusts)
• South Carolina, United States (risk for severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, damaging wind gusts)
• Southeastern Virginia, United States (risk for severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, damaging wind gusts)
• Florida, United States (thunderstorms, potential flooding, potential tropical system development)
• Tennessee Valley, United States (scattered strong to severe thunderstorms, damaging wind gusts)
• Alabama, United States (isolated damaging gusts, potential tropical system development)
• Georgia, United States (isolated damaging gusts)
• Great Lakes region, United States (wildfire smoke, poor air quality, restricted visibility)
• Northeast region, United States (wildfire smoke, poor air quality, restricted visibility)
• Desert Southwest region, United States (thunderstorms, heavy downpours, localized flash flooding)
• Rocky Mountains region, United States (thunderstorms, heavy downpours, localized flash flooding)
• Northern Plains region, United States (slight risk of severe thunderstorms, large hail, severe gusts)
• Death Valley, Inyo County, California, United States (national high temperature record of 117°F)
• Leadville, Lake County, Colorado, United States (national low temperature record of 38°F)
• Western Kansas, United States (marginal/slight risk of isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms with damaging winds)
• New England, United States (returning heat and humidity, potential showers/thunderstorms, drier air, cooler temperatures by Friday)
• Santa Barbara County, California, United States (High Surf Advisory due to Tropical Storm Elida, warm inland temperatures, coastal fog)
• Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (pleasant weather, sunny intervals, mild temperatures)
• Eastern Pacific Ocean (Tropical Storm Elida, high risk of other tropical development)
• Western coast of Baja California, Mexico (dangerous surf and rip currents due to Tropical Storm Elida)
• Northern Gulf Coast, United States (potential tropical system formation)
• Hawaii, United States (monitoring potential tropical systems)