Tornadoes are extremely rare in Alaska, with only 11 documented since 1950. Also, a new heat dome is building in the United States this week. This time it will focus on the West first, then shift toward the Midwest. Storms associated with the North American monsoon will follow the heat in the West. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While activity has ramped up in the Pacific Ocean over the last month, the Atlantic activity levels have been on the quieter side. Find out what factors could lead to an uptick in activity as the month goes on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An uptick in heat through midmonth will be followed by humidity as the monsoon kicks in later in July, keeping the risk for wildfires high. A high wildfire risk exists for much of the Southwest through this weekend and a very high risk for southeast Utah and southwest Colorado, where the largest wildfires are burning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The same heat dome driving dangerous temperatures will also steer severe thunderstorms into parts of the United States before and during the Independence Day weekend. Also, a sunrise view in Yellowstone National Park showed snow still clinging to the mountains even as much of the U.S. swelters in summer heat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As dangerous heat builds, AccuWeather’s HeatWave Severity Index shows how duration and intensity can raise the risk of heat-related illness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More than a century after an asteroid exploded over Tunguska, astronomers are preparing for a new era of asteroid detection and planetary defense Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A major heat wave will grip close to three dozen states in the days leading up to the Fourth of July and could put millions at risk for heat-related illness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Millions of Americans will face a mix of heat, thunderstorms and wildfire smoke over Independence Day weekend, with weather threatening travel delays and outdoor celebrations across parts of the U.S. Also, decades of whale photos helped researchers identify two humpbacks that moved between breeding grounds on opposite sides of the Southern Hemisphere, a rare crossing documented between Australia and Brazil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warm Atlantic and Gulf waters, combined with the edge of a building heat dome, could allow storm clusters to organize into a tropical system as July begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Extreme temperatures have contributed to deaths, prompted school closures and driven residents to cooling spots across France. Also, conditions conducive for explosive and highly dangerous wildfire development will unfold later this week and persist through this weekend over a large part of the interior western United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices