Central, southwest, and interior southeast portions of Brazil have observed a wet 30-day period dating back to late May. During the past week, central and southern portions of Argentina have received plenty of rain. However, the latest 15-day outlook projects an amplified upper-level high-pressure ridge centered over west-central South America. As a result, the South America climate pattern into the early middle third of July turns unusually hot.

At last count, yesterday’s severe weather reports climbed to 557 including 187 hail damage messages of which many included 2-inch (or more) sized hailstones. A similar outbreak is forecast for the East U.S. today most focused on the Mid-Atlantic region where the primary issue is damaging wind gusts.

Medium-range forecasts across the Midwest U.S. drought area during the past 30 days are too wet especially by the GFS ENS and to a lesser extent by the ECM ENS. The ECM ENS 6-10-day verification is reasonable otherwise a strong wet bias is indicated.

The Midwest States have dried-out rapidly as D2/D3 drought has developed. Meanwhile, wet soil moisture trend in the Southeast U.S. is accelerating due to the recent heavy rainfall. The latest 15-day forecast maintains soaking rains in the Southeast States expanding northward throughout the East while the Midwest stays dry.