July 2022 was a brutally hot mid-summer for most Americans. July 2022 ranked 3rd hottest of the 128-year climatology. Texas observed their hottest July on record inspired by harsh drought. 7 states observed all-time to-5 months of July stretching from Oregon to Rhode Island.

Europe drought is worsening as Warning/Alert level of drought is becoming widespread. The latest 15-day forecasts are both very warm to hot across Southwest to Central Europe and dry for most of Europe according to ECM ENS.

While drought discussion has been a significant issue during mid-summer, excessive rain zones are expanding as early August arrives. The East Kentucky/Central Appalachia historic flood is expanding. Excessive rainfall leading to flash flooding is forecast across all of Kentucky today with greatest risk in southeast Illinois.

The 15-day hot and dry weather forecast for the Great Plains featuring some excessive heat coupled with vast worsening dryness for both shallow and deep layer soil moisture increases the risk for rapidly developing drought for the first half of August.