Today's Weather Outlook

Hurricane Erin to bring notable impacts to North Carolina and Virginia coasts as the Western U.S. bakes in heat. 

Hurricane Erin will slide to the north-northeast today, moving parallel to the East Coast. A few outer bands of the large and powerful storm will pass over eastern North Carolina and Virginia. The Outer Banks of North Carolina will be hit the hardest with 2 to 4 feet of storm surge and tropical storm-force winds of 39 to 73 mph. Rain amounts will range from 1 to 3 inches of rain in the Outer Banks and just into the interior sections of eastern North Carolina. 

Frequent showers and storms are likely along the Gulf Coast and into the interior portions of the Gulf Coast states. Flash flooding and damaging wind gusts are possible with these storms. 

A few robust storms are possible in the Plains of eastern Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota and extending northeastward into Minnesota. Main threats include large hail and severe wind gusts in excess of 60 mph. Flash flooding will be another threat to watch as storms may be slow-moving. 

Isolated showers and storms will fire over the spine of the southern and central Appalachians. Generally lower-elevation sections of the Mid-Atlantic will get into this action as well. Pockets of heavy rain may bring flash flooding as a result. 

The Northeast, southern Midwest, Mid-South, and Ohio Valley may see a few showers during the day but for the most part will be dry.  

The high terrain of the Great Basin, Desert Southwest, and Rockies will see spotty showers. The rest of the western third of the U.S. will be hot and dry. 

Fifties and 60s will be found in the high terrain of the Rockies and northern Appalachians. The Northeast, northern Mid-Atlantic, and Great Lakes will have a mix of pleasant 60s and 70s. Solidly in the 70s will be the Pacific Northwest. Eighties will be common for the southern Mid-Atlantic, Mid-South, Southeast, Gulf Coast, northern Plains, and Midwest. The Four Corners and southern to central Plains will be in the 90s. The Desert Southwest will see 100s and a few 110s as high pressure continues over the area.