Weekend Weather Preview

The northwest U.S. sees a large impactful system as the rest of the country sees a mostly dry and hot pattern set in.

Saturday 

A large upper-level low pressure system will gain strength and provide impacts to the northwestern U.S.

Steady rain and showers will continue over the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. The heaviest totals will be somewhere in the one-half inch to 2-inch range in the higher terrain of Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, with light snow accumulation possible on the highest peaks. Lower elevation portions of these states can expect showers, but not much in the way of rain totals. 

In the early morning hours, a strong complex of thunderstorms will move eastward from the Dakotas into the Upper Midwest. Damaging winds will be a serious threat with these storms. Other threats include the possibility of a couple tornadoes and large hail. 

The Southwest U.S. will remain dry, but some cooler temperatures will encroach into the portions of Utah and California. Desert regions will still be hot.  

A large high-pressure ridge will begin to position itself across the eastern two-thirds of the country. This will begin a run of a hot and mostly dry stretch, particularly in the Midwest and Plains. Some pop-up storms are possible along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Flash flooding and frequent lightning are the main threats to watch, while the sun will shine brightly otherwise. 

Highs in 30s and 40s will be found in the higher terrain of the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest. Fifties and 60s will exist in lower elevation sections of the West Coast and northwestern U.S. Temperatures in the 70s and 80s will be likely in the Northern Plains, Northeast, and along the spine of the Appalachians. The whole of the Central U.S., Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Desert-Southwest, and Four Corners will see 90s and 100s. 

Sunday 

The northwestern U.S. will see rain and even a little June snow in the higher terrain even on the first full day of summer. The rest of the country will have its bearing set on “summer.” 

The higher terrain of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming will see spotty showers with steady rain at times. Light to moderate snowfall accumulations will be possible in the higher terrain of Idaho, Montana, and northern Wyoming. 

As a surface low-pressure system spins up off the Northern Rockies, the Northern Plains will see showers and storms throughout the day. A robust storm or two may be possible to the east of this low pressure, with all severe hazards possible. 

Other than the Northeast seeing a few showers as a low-pressure system glides to the east in southern Canada, and scattered pop-up storms in the Southeast, a strong high-pressure ridge will be in place over the eastern two-thirds of the country. This will promote dry and hot weather from the Central Rockies all the way to the East Coast. 

The Southwest U.S. will finally see some cooler than average temperatures but will stay dry. 

There will be some 40s and 50s for highs in the Central and Northern Rockies, and Pacific Northwest. Sixties and 70s are likely in the Northern Plains and along the West Coast. Highs in the 80s and 90s will be found in the Northeast, Desert Southwest, Four Corners, and the entire Central to Eastern U.S. A few 100s may be found in the Plains and Desert Southwest.