Weather

As much-needed dry weather dominates, heat and humidity will engulf New England and the Middle Atlantic Monday. Widespread highs in the 90s are anticipated, with humidity making the air feel even hotter. Any thunderstorms will be isolated, allowing most of the region to slowly dry out.

The hot and humid air will stream over the lower Midwest and South Central states. As a cold front clashes with the sticky conditions, severe thunderstorms will threaten the area from southern Lake Michigan to Iowa. A few thunderstorms may also extend back to eastern Colorado. The strongest thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging winds, hail, flooding and frequent lightning. Less-intense thunderstorms will rumble over the northern Plains.

Thunderstorms will also dot areas from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf Coast and the Carolinas. The afternoon will be the most active.

Heat will build across the West, away from the coast, as high pressure begins to strengthen overhead. The heat and gusty winds may further feed ongoing blazes.

Withering heat, potentially challenging record highs, will increase fire danger and boost electrical demand across most of the Western United States and nearby Canada this week. Readings can top 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the Columbia River basin of the interior Northwest.