The heatwave expands as heat alerts continue in the South. Flooding threatens in several states, while the Fed adds a second round of water restrictions in the West. Aurora borealis visibility in the US will continue through Friday night–here’s how to see the lights.
Heatwave in the West expands while heat alerts continue in South
The oppressive heat in the western part of the US has expanded to a larger area, and while the area of high temperatures is decreasing in the South, several states are still under warnings for Wednesday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued the following heat-related alerts for Wednesday.
Excessive heat warning: western, northern, central, and south-central Washington; southwestern Idaho; eastern Oregon; central and south central California.
Heat advisory: Washington; Oregon; northern, western, and southern Idaho; north-central, western, southern, and southwestern California; eastern Texas; northern and central Louisiana; central and southern Mississippi; southwestern Alabama; western Florida Panhandle.
Flooding threat in several states
Scattered thunderstorms are expected over the southern tier of the US on Wednesday, as well as over the north-central US and Great Lakes region, portions of the Ohio Valley, and throughout the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Heavy rain will threaten potential flooding over portions of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood warning on Wednesday for Corpus Christi, Victoria, and Laredo, Texas. An NWS flood alert is also in place for Wednesday over northern and central New Mexico and could creep over the North Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle borders.
Fed adds 2nd round of water restrictions in the West
On Tuesday, the federal government announced the second round of water restrictions to Western states depending on the Colorado River, the New York Post reported. Having already been hit with mandatory water cuts for the first time last year, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico will be forced to make additional reductions in the coming year.
Arizona had 18% of its supply cut last year and will lose an additional 3%, for a total 21% reduction from its initial allocation. New Mexico will lose 7%, and Nevada will lose 8%.
Aurora borealis visibility in US extends to Friday night
Earlier this week, the NOAA issued geomagnetic storm watches, stating that the aurora borealis (aka the northern lights) would be visible in northern regions of the US Tuesday night through early Thursday morning. An update has been issued extending the visibility through Friday evening, as well as farther south geographically, which could possibly make the stunning light display visible in Chicago and Cleveland, WJAR 10 reported. However, the greatest areas where visibility is deemed to be “likely” will be all along the northernmost tier of the US from the west to the northeast. Here is the best US visibility map.
