Extreme Heat Warnings, Extreme Heat Watches, and Heat Advisories are in effect across 31 U.S. states after the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a series of heat alerts on June 29, 2026. Peak heat index values are forecast to reach 46°C (115°F), with dangerous heat and humidity expected to persist into early July across parts of the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and central United States.
Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Watches have been issued across parts of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota ahead of intensifying heatwave beginning Sunday, June 28, 2026. Heat index values are forecast to exceed 38°C (100°F) across much of the region, with some areas expected to reach 41 to 43°C (105 to 110°F) through Tuesday or Thursday, depending on location.
A multi-day severe weather outbreak is forecast to affect large portions of the central and eastern United States through Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Forecasters are warning of scattered to widespread flash flooding in parts of Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri under a Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall, while severe thunderstorms capable of producing very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes develop across the Plains and Midwest.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed portions of the Central Plains including parts of Kansas and Nebraska under an Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms for Saturday, June 20, 2026. Large to very large hail, damaging winds exceeding 121 km/h (75 mph), and tornadoes possible from afternoon into evening hours.
The South Fork Fire has grown to 9 352 ha (23 112 acres) since igniting about 19 km (12 miles) west of Crawford, Nebraska, on June 9, 2026. The fire has prompted evacuation orders for areas north of Crawford’s city center, Fort Robinson State Park, and the Ponderosa Villa Assisted Living Facility. Highway 20 and Fort Robinson State Park were closed, and Governor Jim Pillen declared a state of emergency as firefighters worked to contain the wildfire.
Dangerous heat is expected across much of the central United States on June 9, 2026, with multiple National Weather Service offices warning that heat index values will reach 38 to 42°C (100 to 108°F) during the afternoon and evening. Heat Advisories remain in effect across Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, with the most dangerous conditions forecast across the Mid-South.
A storm system moving from the Great Basin into the Northern Rockies is expected to bring widespread rain, flooding concerns, and severe thunderstorms across multiple U.S. regions through June 1, 2026. The highest rainfall threat is forecast across portions of Montana on May 30, 2026, while severe storms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail are expected across parts of Nebraska and South Dakota.
A Particularly Dangerous Situtation (PDS) Tornado Watch issued for northeast Kansas and southeast Nebraska on May 18, 2026, was followed by multiple tornado reports, hail up to about 7 cm (2.75 inches), and damaging wind reports across the central U.S. Preliminary SPC storm reports included 19 tornadoes, damage to farm structures, grain bins, trees, and power lines.
At least 25 tornadoes were reported across four states in the central United States on May 17, 2026, with widespread damage being reported in parts of Iowa and Nebraska.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) placed portions of central and northeastern Kansas into far southeastern Nebraska under a Moderate Risk for severe thunderstorms on Monday, May 18, 2026. Supercells are forecast to produce all severe hazards, including 5–10+ cm (2–4+ inches) hail and strong to intense tornadoes, mainly from central Kansas into southeastern Nebraska.
