Warm Weekend, Heavy Rain and Gusty Winds Ahead

Much of the U.S. and parts of Canada will see unusually warm, sunny conditions this weekend with widespread highs in the 80s and near- or above-record readings from the Great Lakes and Midwest to the South. Strengthening southerly winds will make many areas breezy to gusty (gusts often 25–35+ mph), with dry soils raising sporadic fire concerns across parts of the Plains and Midwest. A strong cold front late Sunday into early next week will bring a round of showers and storms, with rain chances peaking Tuesday in many regions and pockets of heavy rainfall (locally 1–2+ inches, and roughly 30–50 mm possible in the Red River Valley and Winnipeg). There is a Level 1 (marginal) severe risk overnight for a few isolated storms that could produce quarter-size hail and damaging gusts up to about 60 mph. Behind the front temperatures will drop to the 50s–60s by midweek, with lingering localized rain chances in parts of the South and Tennessee Valley. Forecasters urge caution with outdoor burning and advise monitoring local updates for timing of heavier rain and gusty winds.