Preliminary forecast tracks for Tropical Disturbance 97L currently located over Hispaniola are into the northeast Gulf of Mexico this weekend into early next week where water temperatures reach 87F/31C. The HWRF forecast model recognizes the warm water and takes "Debby" into the eastern Florida Panhandle Monday morning as a category 2 hurricane.

Extreme heat and, according to GFS, up to 240 hours with no rain in Arkansas (and vicinity) expect flash drought to develop in the Mid-South U.S. during early August. Some much-needed wet weather may generate in the 11-15-day period to bring slight relief.

Widespread high impact weather to close July primarily centered on an excessive heat event centered on the Mid-south U.S. but forecast to expand through early August. Previously, the mid-August forecast was trending less hot. But overnight, another hot spike appeared in the East U.S. according to the GFS model.

Beginning yesterday, forecast models indicated potential evolution of a tropical system east of New Jersey. Water temperatures support tropical development (81-82F). Additionally, a very hot 11-15-day forecast from recent days is suddenly cooler into the Midwest according to GFS and AIFS.