Below-Average Temperatures Persist Across Midwest, Drought Stress Deepens

A cooling trend is underway across much of the U.S. with temperatures well below normal for this time of year, including highs in the 60s and 70s replacing recent intense heat. Breezy conditions are contributing to elevated fire danger in some areas, with dry weather expected through much of the week despite occasional chances of showers in southern communities. Across the Midwest, cool Canadian air masses have kept temperatures from reaching 70 degrees, with lows dropping into the 40s, though gradual warming to the mid-70s is forecast by the end of the week. In California, an upper-level trough is bringing a cooling trend to the Central Coast, easing extreme heat warnings, though interior regions remain warmer. Coastal areas are experiencing low clouds and fog, with temperatures approaching or slightly below normal by midweek. Overall, the pattern suggests a transition from intense heat to more typical late summer and early fall conditions, with some regional variability in temperature and precipitation.