The US is experiencing a record-breaking heat wave, with temperatures reaching 115°F in the Midwest, breaking records set in 1936. This heat wave is causing heat-related illnesses and putting stress on the power grid, potentially leading to temporary power outages. However, relief is expected over the weekend as the jet stream dips lower, bringing cooler air.
Meanwhile, an explosion of tropical activity is occurring in the Atlantic Ocean, with four areas of interest, including Tropical Storm Herald, which made landfall in South Texas. Two areas of concern are Franklin, which is expected to weaken but may regain strength later in the week, and a new area of thunderstorms near the Yucatan Peninsula, which could rapidly develop into a hurricane.
The European model suggests that a dip in the jet stream may push Franklin away from the US, but there's a slight chance the models are wrong, and the storm could head towards the Carolinas or Mid-Atlantic region. The situation is still uncertain, and it's too early to make definitive predictions.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. A record-breaking heat wave is affecting millions of Americans.
2. The heat wave has caused hundreds of records to be broken or challenged.
3. Places between Dallas and Chicago have seen temperatures at or above 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. The records being broken were set in 1936 during the Dust Bowl era.
5. The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings.
6. The heat wave is putting heavy stress on the power grid due to excess demand for energy.
7. Temporary power outages are possible in areas with the hottest temperatures.
8. Relief from the heat wave is expected this weekend as the northern side of the high-pressure ridge collapses.
9. The jet stream will dip lower into the U.S., bringing cooler air.
10. The farther south you live, the longer it will take for the relief to arrive.
11. It may be early next week before temperatures start to drop in places like Texas and Louisiana.
12. An explosion of tropical activity is occurring in the Atlantic Ocean.
13. Four areas of interest have been identified in the Atlantic Ocean.
14. Tropical Storm Herald formed and made landfall in South Texas.
15. The heat dome will weaken over time, allowing the jet stream to send rain and storms as far south as Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
16. By Wednesday of next week, everyone who was under the heat dome will have seen at least a sprinkle of rain.
17. The drought is getting worse in certain parts of the central U.S.
18. Hurricanes could potentially bring drought-busting rain to the central U.S.
19. The Atlantic Ocean is experiencing an explosion of tropical activity.
20. There are currently four areas of interest in the Atlantic Ocean, with the potential for two more storms to form in the near future.
21. Franklin is causing torrential downpours and flash flooding in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
22. Franklin is expected to weaken and drift north and east, but some models show it gaining strength again later in the week.
23. If Franklin gains strength, it could become a hurricane and potentially affect the U.S.
24. The timing of the heat dome breaking down could be crucial in determining the path of Franklin.
25. A dip in the jet stream could push Franklin away from the U.S. or fling it out to sea.
26. Another area of interest is near the Yucatan Peninsula, where an area of thunderstorms will form later in the week.
27. This area of thunderstorms could rapidly develop into a hurricane as it moves towards the U.S.
28. The Euro model has predicted a major hurricane slamming into Florida by the end of next week, but the GFS model does not see it.
29. It is too early to make any definitive predictions about the path or intensity of the storms.