Map weather now points to several travel hazards at once. Heavy rain is possible in the Southeast for the rest of the week and into the weekend, while heat is set to expand into the Plains by the weekend ahead.
Travelers in the Southeast should expect delays if flash flooding develops. Across the Plains, Northwest and Southwest, the forecast calls for conditions that may call for lighter clothes, wide-brim hats, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Forecast maps for the Southeast
The map shows the Southeast with the most immediate rain concern. Heavy rain there could slow travel for the rest of the week and into the weekend, and flash flooding would add to delays on roads that already have limited room for error.
The forecast also shows smoke lingering across the Northwest. Air quality there could be depleted enough that it may be unhealthy for most people, which makes the maps useful for anyone deciding whether to keep outdoor plans or shift them indoors.
Heat across the Plains
By the weekend ahead, the heat will expand to the Plains. Highs in the Plains will be in the 90s to 100s, a sharp shift from the cooler conditions many travelers may be packing for earlier in the week.
The jet stream adds a directional wrinkle to the forecast. Flyers generally travel faster eastward with it, and slower westward against strong headwinds, so the same weather pattern can affect trips in different ways depending on direction.
Pollen and mold across northern U.S.
The maps also flag pollen and mold. The grasses are still in bloom in many areas, so pollen sufferers will want to account for that in outdoor plans, and mold allergy sufferers will want to keep that concern in mind across parts of the northern U.S.
The six-day maps are the tool to watch. They show where smoke is and how temperatures and travel conditions evolve, which is the practical way to judge whether a trip needs more time, more water or a different route.
