Storms in eastern half of US may foul Father's Day outings while heat builds in Southwest

While areas from the Plains to the Pacific coast can expect dry weather, storms may crash cookouts across the eastern-third of the nation on Father's Day.

Humidity levels will increase over much of the eastern third of the nation on Father's Day. With the uptick in humidity and strong June sunshine warming the atmosphere, there is a likelihood of showers and thunderstorms erupting.

"It will not rain everywhere from the Mississippi River on east; in fact, many beaches from northern Florida to Maine are likely to be free of rain during the daylight hours," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Maggie Samuhel.

"An exception will be in southern and central Florida, where tropical downpours can occur at any time and result in urban flooding," Samuhel said.

While the majority of the thunderstorms that erupt along the East Coast will be inland from the beaches, another danger awaits those looking to take a dip in the ocean--rip currents.

The search for two missing teenaged swimmers caught in a strong rip current off Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Thursday was called off on Friday, according to the Associated Press.

Another 13-year-old was found dead in the water at Belmar on Thursday night. Both incidents occurred after lifeguards had left for the day.

The risk for rip currents will persist into at least Monday.

All-day rain is rare during June, and such rainfall is unlikely for even the wettest of locations in the Midwest and East.

However, an unusually strong storm for June may cause big trouble for outdoor plans in the Midwest.

"The strong storm may cause hazardous conditions for boaters and bathers due to gusty winds and rough waters over the upper Great Lakes," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist John Gresiak.

The forward speed of the storm and an associated push of cool air will determine the timing and intensity of thunderstorms from the lower Great Lakes to the Ohio, Tennessee and middle Mississippi valleys as well as parts of the Appalachians.

There is the potential for some of these thunderstorms to turn severe with damaging winds and flash flooding being the primary threats.

While even a garden variety thunderstorm that pops up can be dangerous, due to the risk of lightning strikes, people in the Midwest, Appalachians and interior South should keep an eye on the sky and monitor weather bulletins as they are issued.

Except for scattered storms in parts of the southern Plains, the weather for most areas west of the Mississippi River to the Pacific coast will be like night and day, when compared to locations farther east.

"Much of the West can expect sunshine as heat builds over the interior Southwest," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark.

"Temperatures in the deserts and the central valley of California may challenge record high levels beginning on Sunday," Clark said.

No snow will fall on the mountains, although a few resorts are planning on remaining open through Independence Day.

The weather should cooperate on the Pacific beaches by the time most people roll out of bed and finish breakfast.

"Morning low clouds are likely to yield to afternoon sunshine along much of the Pacific coast," Clark said.

People should use caution with open flames and grills in the Southwest.

Despite the wet conditions this winter, vegetation is quickly drying out and can burn rapidly with the surging temperatures, low humidity and sunshine.

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