Days and days of severe weather ahead in central U.S.

A return of severe storms to the central U.S. is the main thing to watch in coming days. They could target Chicago today with the potential for all hazards. Otherwise, heat continues to roast the South as the eastern Pacific hurricane season begins.

Weather Watch

Thunderstorm onslaught. The first two weeks of May were about as quiet as it gets for U.S. severe weather during peak season. That’s changing as severe weather is in the forecast every day of at least the next six. A strong tornado risk includes Chicago today and Indianapolis on Friday; high resolution models say to be on the lookout in the former late Thursday.

Hurricane season’s here. Eyes to the tropics — at least in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Hurricane season starts on May 15 there, and runs through Nov. 30. The Atlantic season will kick off in two weeks, on June 1. Here are the names this year as forecasts call for another active one.

Lightning links

Wildfires are burning in Minnesota and Canada, thanks largely to recent hot and dry conditions.

Summer preview

High pressure anchored over northern Mexico into southern Texas, in concert with a dip in the jet stream to its north, helped deliver a scorcher Wednesday.

Temperatures soared to a monthly record of 112 in Cotulla, Texas, with a 115 coming in from northern Mexico. It’s the hottest weather of the season so far, and it may even turn a bit hotter. Plus, it’s going to linger.

The forecast maximum for the next seven days in Texas is: 109, 110, 108, 111, 110, 106, 108.

Although it fluctuates a bit day-to-day, much of south Texas is also forecast to continue with major to extreme heat risk, the top two threat rankings, through at least this time next week.

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Weekday morning newsletter by a journalist/forecaster. Connecting weather and climate change dots while occasionally stirring the pot.

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