Moderate

The combination of temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s combined with high humidity will result in peak afternoon heat index values in the 100 to 105 degree range each afternoon Today and Thursday. Early season stretches of heat and humidity can catch folks off guard if they are unprepared. If planning to be outdoors for extended periods drink plenty of water, where light and loose clothing, and take frequent breaks.

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents. * WHERE...Gulf-facing beaches, including the Matagorda Peninsula, Brazoria County beaches, Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Swim near a lifeguard and away from rocks, jetties, and piers. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If

At 1028 AM CDT, trained weather spotters reported strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles north of Ogden to 4 miles south of Roland to near State Center. Movement was northeast at 30 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 mph possible with storms. SOURCE...Trained weather spotter reported an estimated wind gust of 50 to 55 mph. Weather stations also reporting wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include...

The combination of temperatures in the upper 80s to around 90 and high humidity will result in the heat index reaching 95 to 100 today and then again on Thursday. With these being the first hot days of the year, it may take some time to get acclimated to these conditions. So be extra cautious and take precautions to deal with the heat. If planning to be outdoors for extended periods drink plenty of water, where light and loose clothing, and take frequent breaks.

At 1135 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Pleasant View to near Catawba to near Elgood to Boissevain. Movement was east at 90 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include... Roanoke... Lynchburg... Blacksburg... Salem... Christiansburg... Radford... and Bluefield.

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 108 expected. * WHERE...The central and eastern combined Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

* WHAT...High waves and dangerous currents expected. * WHERE...Beaches along Lake Michigan in Door, Kewaunee and Manitowoc Counties. * WHEN...From 4 PM CDT this afternoon through Thursday morning. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming conditions are expected. Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high waves can sweep people off piers. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Several beaches that will be most susceptible to the dangerous swimming conditions include... Rock Island State Beach, Baileys Harbor beaches and Whitefish

At 950 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong thunderstorms extending from 13 miles south of Pound to 9 miles west of Menasha, or extending from 24 miles northwest of Bay Shore Park to 11 miles west of Appleton, moving east at 30 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 to 45 mph mph and penny size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. The strong thunderstorm will be near...

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 100 expected. * WHERE...Calhoun, Jackson, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren Counties. * WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

At 928 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Homestead to 8 miles north of Wausaukee to near Crivitz. Movement was east at 40 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... Marinette, Iron Mountain, Menominee, Kingsford, Norway, Stephenson,