Along with excessive heat, a few pockets of severe thunderstorms are possible in the West today (Monday). There is a risk for severe weather from western Idaho to northern California. A slight risk (level 2 on a scale of 1 to 5) has been posted by the Storm Prediction Center in eastern Oregon. Strong wind gusts are the main threat.

A few monsoonal storms may become severe in southern Arizona in the late afternoon and early evening. Downburst wind gusts greater than 60 mph are the biggest concern.

Storms will develop in the afternoon and continue through the evening. Coverage will be widely scattered, but storms may be rather potent. An upper level low pressure center in the Pacific will feed moisture and energy into the Northwest, aiding thunderstorm development.

WeatherNation will have updates on-air and online with the latest forecasts and severe weather alerts.