Florida faces heavy rain as heat grips western US this weekend

As September begins, the western United States is bracing for potentially record-high temperatures, with forecasts indicating highs 10 to 20 degrees above average. Areas such as the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin, and southern California are particularly affected, with excessive heat warnings already in place. Spokane, Washington, is expected to see temperatures between 92 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit, which could set a new early September record. In contrast, northern Florida and the Gulf Coast are facing heavy rainfall due to a slow-moving tropical depression. Emergency officials have warned of increased flooding risks from Thursday through Saturday, with forecasts predicting 5 to 10 inches of rain in parts of the region. Heat advisories are also in effect for southwestern Florida, where high humidity could lead to dangerous heat indices reaching up to 112 degrees. The National Weather Service has reported that approximately 66 million people are under heat warnings and advisories across the western and southern regions of the U.S. This extreme weather is compounded by the ongoing hurricane season, with five tropical disturbances currently being monitored in the Atlantic Ocean, although no significant development has occurred yet. Meanwhile, a cold front has brought cooler, fall-like temperatures to the Plains and eastern regions of the country, contrasting sharply with the heat and humidity affecting the West and South. This weather pattern highlights the diverse climatic conditions across the United States as summer transitions into fall.