Ring of Fire Storms Could Bring Destructive Winds and Hail to Millions

Unseasonably hot temperatures are not going to be the only byproduct of the emerging heat dome. Widespread thunderstorms are also forecast to develop along the periphery of this area of high pressure, bringing several rounds of severe weather to millions of Americans well into the new week. Here is a look at when and where to expect these storms to ignite.

Ring of Fire Thunderstorms Forecast for Edges of Heat Dome

The expansive heat dome will fuel the development of what is known as the "ring of fire" thunderstorms in the days ahead. These storms will lay the groundwork for damaging winds and the potential of derechos across much of the northern U.S.

Forecasters have been warning for days about the emergence of this heat dome, set to bring soaring temperatures to the eastern half of the country heading into the Fourth of July weekend. Approximately 200 million Americans will be under the searing heat in the coming days. While the midsection of the heat dome will remain dry, storms are forecast to come alive along the northern and southern edges of this dome of high pressure.

It is not unusual for storms to erupt along the rim of a heat dome, both to the north and the south. The center of the high-pressure zone works to suppress thunderstorm activity, pushing the action to the outer rims of the dome where the high is not as strong. The circulation around the high-pressure area sends the clusters of storms in a clockwise motion.

The latest forecast models signal that the strongest storms will develop on the northern rim of the heat dome. However, action is also predicted to fire up along the southern periphery. Storms that form to the south will move over the warm ocean waters of the southern Atlantic and the Gulf Coast, potentially planting the seeds for tropical development. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) will be monitoring the extreme southwestern Atlantic and northern Gulf for the potential of a homegrown tropical depression or storm later in the week.

The high-pressure area began to build over the weekend. Because it was still weak in nature, storms and rain showers were still a common occurrence within the middle of this dome. However, that will all change as the heat dome intensifies in the early part of the week.

The strengthening of the heat dome was responsible for the storms that roamed the northern Plains and parts of the Upper Midwest on Sunday. This severe weather threat will continue into Monday. The forecast for the first day of the work week is calling for storms to focus on a swath of land from the Dakotas through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The line of storms may creep as far south as Nebraska and Iowa at times. Likely impacts of Monday's severe weather event include high winds up to 95 mph, large hail, and isolated tornadic activity.

For instance, Fargo, North Dakota, is forecast to see scattered thunderstorms developing in the latter part of the day. Some of these storm cells could pack severe impacts. The Monday forecast in Fargo is also calling for highs near 90 degrees, winds out of the southeast at 15 to 25 mph, and overnight lows of 62 degrees.

While it will remain mostly dry to the west in Rapid City, South Dakota, high winds could be a nuisance for visitors to the popular summer tourist destination. Rapid City is bracing for gusty winds hitting speeds of 40 mph by the afternoon hours. Highs will top out at the 80-degree mark under cloudy skies.