Thursday's Weather Outlook

July 23, 2025 at 03:40 PM EDT

By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Alyssa Robinette

A stubborn cold front and pesky tropical disturbance will create a soggy, stormy forecast for much of the U.S. on Thursday.

A cold front will inch south and east across parts of the central U.S. on Thursday. This front will generally be draped over the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest into the central Plains and central/southern Rockies. Winds associated with this cold front will funnel plenty of moisture from both the Pacific Ocean and Gulf into the nation’s midsection.

Rain and thunderstorms will soak areas along the front, mainly during the afternoon and evening. Any thunderstorms that do develop will have the potential to produce gusty winds and torrential downpours. There will be a smaller chance of large hail and a brief, isolated tornado.

Meanwhile, a tropical disturbance will be sliding just off the Gulf Coast. Rain and thunderstorms will be most likely across the Florida Peninsula into the central Gulf Coast. Heavy downpours and localized flooding will be possible here. There will be a smaller chance of showers and storms from the Southeast into the Deep South.

High pressure will keep the weather dry and quiet on Thursday from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic into the Lower Midwest and southern Plains. Besides an isolated shower or thunderstorm in the Great Basin, dry weather will also prevail throughout the western third of the U.S.

Seventies and 80s will be common throughout the Northwest, Great Basin, much of California, the Rockies and the northern half of the Plains. However, a few 90s cannot be ruled out in the lowest elevations, while 60s and even some 50s are possible in the tallest peaks. Highs in the 90s and 100s are expected in the Desert Southwest as well as the southern half of the Plains.

Across the eastern half, 80s and 90s will be found across most areas. A few highs in the 100s cannot be ruled out though in the Lower Mississippi Valley. Humidity will also be a factor across the eastern half of the nation, which will cause heat index values to skyrocket to near 110 degrees in places!