By Henry Luker, Lead Forecaster (discussion) and Jeff Wilcox, Senior Forecaster (graphics)

Upper Midwest

A relatively quiet fourth of July is on tap across the midwest with temperatures ranging from the low 60s around Lake Superior, upper 70s and low 80s in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, to the upper 80s and even a few 90s in the Northern Plains. Partly-to-mostly cloudy skies should be the prevailing condition across this area, however isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible across the western parts of the Dakotas. The Storm Prediction Center has generally the northern part of North Dakota and southwestern South Dakota under a marginal risk of severe weather. Please consult the local National Weather Service offices in this area for further details.

Central United States

Similar conditions are expected for the Central Plains with relatively quiet weather for most. Sunny skies will be the prevalent condition across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and much of Missouri and Nebraska. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible across the southern parts of this region, however these likely won’t be big soakers and shouldn’t pose too much of a threat. Temperatures will be in the low-to-mid 80s for mostly everyone with the exception for the Plains which will heat up into the upper 80s and low 90s. A marginal risk of severe weather has been posted for the western parts of Kansas and Nebraska – please consult local National Weather Service offices for further details.

South Central, Southeast, and Puerto Rico

Unlike the conditions in the upper portions of the Mississippi Valley and Plains, the south is expected to see a stormy and rainy day on this years Fourth of July. Scattered-to-widespread showers and thunderstorms will be likely across the southeast with hot and steamy weather included in the package with upper 80s and 90s for generally the entire region.  The Southern Plains should generally remain nice, with the exception for storms across Oklahoma and near Gulf Cities.

It will be hot in Puerto Rico with a steamy 90° in San Juan and 92° in Ponce. Partly cloudy skies will prevail in the southern portions of the island with an isolated shower or thunderstorm in the north.

Northeast and East Central

If you’re looking for the nicest weather in the United States over the Fourth of July, the northeast would be the place to be. Wonderful temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70s with partly cloudy skies for most will create one of the most comfortable environments around for carnivals, fireworks watching, parades, and all of the wonderful activities associated with the Fourth. There will be chances of isolated showers and thunderstorms across the southern portions of this region, however these will not be very heavy rains and should remain scattered in nature. Definitely shouldn’t put a hamper on your plans. But seriously – 76° in Boston with Partly Cloudy skies? That sounds like heaven.

West, Hawaii, and Alaska

(A/N: Admittingly, this would be the first time we’ve had to use the smoke icon in any of our graphics – look near Fairbanks.)

If you have a hankering for hot weather, the west would be a perfect spot for you. From a raw and hot 106° in Phoenix and Las Vegas, to 105° at Redding, to 103° at St. George, to 100° at Bakersfield, we’re surely in the works for a hot day across much of the region. One of the nicer spots on the map would have to be in San Francisco, checking in at a cool 69°, and with the sea breeze, you’ll definitely be in for a relatively comfortable day. The hot weather extends further north into Washington with 84° at Seattle at 91° at Great Falls. There will be periodic shower and thunderstorm chances, primarily centered across Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.

If you have a hankering for cool weather, make a trek up to the northern end of Alaska and take a tour of Barrow, which will be checking in at a chilly 51° with Sunny skies. More comfortable weather can be expected across the southern portions of the state with upper 60s and 70s with partly-to-mostly cloudy skies. Everything should be okay, with the exception for the…smoke…in eastern Alaska.

We don’t even need to discuss Hawaii’s weather. It’s Hawaii. You should enjoy it regardless of the weather.

Enjoy the holiday weekend and make sure to stay tuned to the Iowa Weather Network for the latest forecasts! Jeff will be back tomorrow with the local Fourth of July forecast.