At least three firefighters were reported dead while two others were injured amid suppression efforts for Knowles and Gore fires along the Utah-Colorado border on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The fires are believed to have been started by lightning strike on Friday and Saturday.
Canyon County, in southwest Idaho’s Treasure Valley west of Boise, declared a countywide disaster emergency on June 27, 2026, after severe thunderstorms moved through the Nampa–Caldwell area the previous evening, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and hail. Preliminary National Weather Service (NWS) observations recorded gusts of 89 km/h (55 mph) at Boise Airport and 85 km/h (53 mph) at Caldwell Airport.
At least four fatalities were reported in Madison and Jackson counties as deadly flash floods swept across Kentucky on June 27, 2026. Governor Andy Beshear declared a statewide emergency as forecasts called for additional heavy rain and emergency crews responded to rescues, flooded homes, and damaged infrastructure. Five counties had also declared local States of Emergency.
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 dangerous heatwave is forecast to intensify across much of the central and eastern United States starting Sunday, June 28, 2026. High temperatures up to 38°C (100°F) and heat index values reaching 38 to 43°C (100 to 110°F), locally as high as 46°C (115°F), through the Independence Day holiday weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Missoula upgraded Winter Storm Watches to Winter Storm Warnings at 11:04 MDT (17:04 UTC) on June 26, 2026, for four high-elevation zones in central Idaho and southwest Montana, where 10-20 cm (4-8 inches) of heavy wet snow, with isolated amounts up to 30 cm (12 inches), is forecast above about 2 000 m (6 500 feet) over the weekend.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared a State of Emergency and temporarily expanded the state forester’s authority to restrict fireworks through July 5, 2026, after the Cottonwood Fire grew into the largest active wildfire in the United States. The fire had burned about 29 000 ha (71 841 acres) in Beaver County and remained 0% contained as extreme fire weather fueled rapid growth across southern Utah on Friday, June 26.
High concentrations of Saharan dust are affecting Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on June 26, 2026, reducing visibility and air quality as the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) moves west. Drier Saharan air is forecast to reach South Florida from late Saturday, June 27, followed by a dust plume over Southeast Texas late Sunday, June 28, where hazy skies and reduced air quality are possible.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued an Extremely Critical fire-weather outlook for parts of central and southwestern Utah, northwest Arizona, and extreme southeastern Nevada for June 26, 2026, as southwest winds of 40-55 km/h (25-35 mph) combine with relative humidity of 5–15%.
New satellite measurements showing ground uplift around Mount Kupreanof have confirmed an ongoing magmatic intrusion beneath the volcano, adding a third line of evidence to months of elevated seismic activity and sulfur dioxide emissions. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said the Aviation Color Code remains at Yellow and Volcano Alert Level at Advisory, with no indications from available data that an eruption is imminent.
