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It’s National Oyster Day! ✨🦪✨ Ever wondered how chefs make shucking look so easy? Watch as chef Jeremy Sewall from Row 34 shares his tips and techniques for opening oysters. Whether you’re a first-timer or looking to sharpen your skills, here’s to celebrating one of the ocean’s most loved seafoods!

A series of fronts will linger showers and storms in the central and eastern portions of the U.S. through mid-week. Out West, dangerous heat and fire weather concerns continue, with some monsoonal rains likely across portions of the Desert Southwest. For the latest: www.weather.gov/

Extreme heat continues across the Southwest. Temps may top 120. The heat may expand across the West and south-central US into mid-month. Air quality alerts & red flag warnings are also in place across portions of the West. Exposure to both smoke & heat can be a greater health risk than either alone.

Compounding Hazards: Heat and Wildfires. Exposure to both smoke and extreme heat at the same time can pose a much greater health risk than either one alone. Heat and Smoke Safety Tips: (1) stay indoors: remain in cool, filtered air; (2) limit activity: plan necessary tasks for cooler, cleaner times; (3) hydrate: drink water frequently; (4) mask up: use a well-fitting N95 outdoors; (5) monitor health: if feeling unwell, move indoors and seek help.

Elevated to locally critical fire weather conditions will persist for the northern Great Basin into the northern and western High Plains today. Poor air quality lingers for the Northwest, Great Basin, Central Rockies into the Plains. Check weather.gov for the latest.

NOAA Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook for Monday, August 3, 2026, valid from 5:00 PM Monday through 7:00 AM Tuesday. An Elevated Fire Weather Risk area (orange) spans much of the Great Basin and central Rockies, including portions of eastern Oregon, southern Idaho, western and central Wyoming, Utah, western Colorado, northern Arizona, and northern New Mexico. No Critical or Extreme fire weather areas are shown, and no dry thunderstorm outlook areas are highlighted. The remainder of the contiguous United States is outside any fire weather risk area.

Strong winds and low humidity will produce critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions from the Northwest into the northern Rockies on Saturday and Sunday. Use caution with any potential ignition sources. Stay aware and follow instructions from emergency officials. weather.gov for more.

NOAA Storm Prediction Center Fire Weather Outlook for Saturday, August 1, 2026, valid through 7:00 AM Sunday, August 2. An Extremely Critical fire weather area (magenta with hatching) is centered near Spokane, Washington, surrounded by a broader Critical area (red) covering parts of eastern Washington, northeastern Oregon, and the Idaho Panhandle. An Elevated fire weather area (orange) extends across much of Idaho, western Montana, northeastern Nevada, southeastern Oregon, and portions of northern California. The map highlights the Inland Northwest as the primary area of concern for rapid wildfire growth due to a combination of strong winds, low humidity, and dry fuels.

Severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening across the middle Mississippi Valley and Ozarks. Isolated severe storms may also occur across the southern Plains and central/southern High Plains this afternoon through early evening. Visit weather.gov for more.

NOAA Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Severe Weather Outlook for Friday, July 31, 2026, valid from 7:00 AM Friday through 7:00 AM Saturday. A Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) area (yellow) is centered over eastern Missouri and western Illinois. A surrounding Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) area (dark green) extends from eastern New Mexico and west Texas across Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and into southern Wisconsin, with a separate marginal area over western Colorado. Broader light green thunderstorm areas cover portions of the central Rockies, central and southern Plains, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, Florida, and New England, with a small area along the Georgia and South Carolina coast.

Thunderstorms with severe wind gusts and isolated large hail will be possible this afternoon and evening across parts of the central and northern Plains, but especially across parts of Nebraska and South Dakota. Isolated severe wind gusts may also occur across parts of the Southeast. weather.gov

NOAA Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Severe Weather Outlook for Thursday, July 30, 2026, valid from 1:00 PM Thursday through 7:00 AM Friday. A Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) area (yellow) is centered over eastern South Dakota and northeastern Nebraska into northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota. A surrounding Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) area (dark green) extends across much of Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Nebraska, western Minnesota, and northern Colorado, with another marginal risk covering the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, southern Georgia, and northern Florida. Broader light green thunderstorm areas cover much of the Intermountain West, central Plains, Upper Midwest, Lower Mississippi Valley, and Gulf Coast, along with smaller areas across northern New England and portions of the Great Lakes.

Ever wonder what fishery scientists eat for dinner? For Culinary Arts Month, see what our West Coast fisheries biologists cook up when they're off the water! Check out Pacific seafood recipes shared by people who've spent their careers ensuring our seafood is safe and sustainable.

A light blue and white background with the header: “what’s for dinner wednesday. Culinary Arts Month” and a chef’s hat decorating the header. Below are two photos stylized as polaroids hanging from blue pushpins. The top photo is of grilled white fish labeled “Grilled Sablefish” and the bottom photo is of a cooked salmon filet on parchment paper with a lemon slice and herbs labeled “Pacific Salmon in Parchment”
A light blue and white background with the header “Firm & Rich Pacific Salmon in Parchment” with the salmon photo cropped as a circle. A bulleted list of ingredients reads “½ lb Pacific salmon filets; 1 tbsp olive oil; 6 slices lemon or citrus of your choice; 1 bunch kale, chard, or other greens; Salt and pepper to taste” with a numbered set of instructions below: “1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Blanch your greens in salted water until just tender. Thinly slice citrus while the greens are blanching. 3. Place drained greens on a sheet of parchment paper/foil and add a little lemon juice and cracked pepper. Place fish on top of greens, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. 4. Place citrus slices on top of fish. 5. Bring the two long sides of paper/foil up around the fish and roll or fold to secure. Do the same with each end. 6. Bake approximately 20 minutes on a cookie sheet. Recipe by James Grunden”
A light blue and white background with the header “Buttery & Velvety Grilled Sablefish” with the sablefish photo cropped as a circle. A bulleted list of ingredients reads “1 ½ lbs sablefish filets; 1 cup soy sauce; ½ cup lime juice; 1 tsp sesame oil; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp dry hot Thai chilis; ¼ cup honey or maple syrup” with a numbered set of instructions below: “1. Marinate for 12 to 24 hours. 2. Set grill with two heat zones: one side on medium-high heat and one side on low heat. 3. Grill fish over medium-high heat, flipping once. After fish begins to flake, move fish to low heat. 4. Sablefish is very oily. Make sure you have a water spritzer bottle to prevent flare ups! Recipe | Mike Wastel, NOAA Fisheries; Manchester Research Station”
A faded wavy blue background with NOAA Fisheries species illustrations for Pacific salmon and sablefish. At the top above a Pacific salmon illustration is a callout box with an arrow connecting it to the salmon illustration. Text reads: “Pacific salmon have an anadromous lifestyle. They hatch in freshwater rivers, migrate to the ocean, then return to freshwater to reproduce.” Below the salmon illustration is another callout box that points to the sablefish illustration. Text reads: “Sablefish look much like cod. They are often referred to as black cod, even though they are not actually part of the cod family.”

Come explore with us! NOAA's Okeanus Explorer is partnering with the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority to explore the island's waters. Through exploration we're making discoveries & gaining insights that strengthen local economies & benefit the global community. www.youtube.com/watch?v=86w4...

Camera 1: 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration (EX2605)

From July 19-August 13, NOAA Ocean Exploration, the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, and partners will conduct a 26-day cruise on NOAA Ship Okeanos Ex...

youtube.com

Dangerous and extreme heat will remain across portions of the central U.S. this week, persisting across the mid to lower Mississippi Valley, Gulf Coast, southern Plains and portions of Texas. A heat wave over the Southwest U.S. will intensify late this week and into the weekend. weather.gov

🚨 Flash flooding is increasingly likely tomorrow across parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The National Water Center has issued Key Messages for potentially significant flash flooding impacts. Be sure to have multiple ways of receiving warnings and never drive through flooded roadways!

Key Messages for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
Significant Flash Flooding Impacts Possible

Significant Flash Flooding Threat across portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
Heavy rainfall has the potential to produce significant flash flood impacts to the region, especially in urban areas.
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms will bring 2 to 4 inches, with locally up to 6 inches, of rain Tuesday into Wednesday morning.
Intense rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour will be possible.

Timing
Flash and urban flooding could start as early as midday Tuesday across the region, with the greatest risk of significant flooding across northern New Jersey, southern New York, and western Connecticut Tuesday night. 

Plan Ahead
Avoid travel and recreation in vulnerable areas. Be especially cautious at night. If flooding is encountered while driving; turn around, don't drown.

For the latest rainfall forecasts, visit www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov

Widely scattered severe storms capable of severe wind and large hail are possible over portions of the central and southern High Plains this afternoon/evening. More isolated damaging wind is possible from the TX coast into south TX, eastern Carolinas, and into the northern Intermountain region.

NOAA Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Convective Outlook valid 1300 UTC Thursday, July 23, 2026, to 1200 UTC Friday, July 24, 2026. A Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe thunderstorms is centered over eastern Colorado into western Kansas, embedded within a broader Marginal Risk (Level 1) that extends across parts of the central High Plains. Additional Marginal Risk areas cover portions of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, south Texas near the lower Rio Grande Valley, and the Mid-Atlantic coast, including eastern Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and southern New Jersey. Broader thunderstorm areas (light green) extend across much of the western U.S., parts of the Plains, the Gulf Coast, the Southeast, Florida, and the Mid-Atlantic. No Enhanced, Moderate, or High Risk areas are forecast.

Wildfire smoke is impacting air quality across much of the Great Lakes region into the Northeast U.S. Poor air quality can be hazardous to anyone. Before spending time outdoors, check the air quality forecast to ensure that you aren’t doing yourself more harm than good. airnow.gov

Air Quality and Health: Exposure to air pollutants such as particulate matter and ground-level ozone can cause headaches, irritated eyes and sinuses, fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pains, asthma attacks, irritated throat and increased coughing. Poor air quality can be hazardous to anyone, and it can aggravate health problems such as asmtha, heart disease, and lung disease. Seniors, children and those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk.

A Moderate Risk for Excessive Rainfall is out for south-central Arizona on Thursday, July 16. Numerous cases of flash floods are forecast with significant flooding possible. Be sure to have multiple ways of receiving weather warnings in advance of tomorrow's Moderate Risk.

Moderate risk of excessive rainfall in Arizona for Thursday, July 16: map highlights widespread slight (yellow) area with a moderate-risk red pocket near Tucson; NOAA warns torrential thunderstorms may produce flash flooding in southern Arizona and urges "Turn Around, Don't Drown."

Life-threatening and locally catastrophic flash and urban flooding is expected across portions of southwestern Texas through early Friday, with significant river flooding and rapid rises on small streams, arroyos, and typically dry washes expected. Monitor weather.gov for the latest.

NOAA Weather Prediction Center Day 1 Excessive Rainfall Outlook valid from 12Z Wednesday, July 15, 2026, through 12Z Thursday, July 16, 2026. A High Risk (magenta) for excessive rainfall and flash flooding is centered over portions of south-central Texas, surrounded by a Moderate Risk (red) and a broader Slight Risk (yellow) extending across much of southern Texas near the Rio Grande and Gulf Coast regions. Additional Slight Risk areas are highlighted over parts of southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. Marginal Risk areas (green) cover a larger portion of Texas and the southern Plains, extend northeastward into the Mid-South and lower Ohio Valley, and include separate areas over the Great Basin, central Rockies, and northern Rockies. The legend indicates probabilities of rainfall exceeding flash flood guidance within 25 miles of a point, with thresholds of 5% for Marginal, 15% for Slight, 40% for Moderate, and 70% for High Risk.

A significant heat wave continues for the Rockies, Northern Plains, and Great Lakes into the Mid-Atlantic, peaking in intensity through midweek. Excessive rainfall my bring life-threatening and locally catastrophic flash and urban flooding across portions of southwestern Texas through early Friday.

Public safety infographic titled "Stay Indoors During Heat Waves" offering tips to use air conditioning, remain hydrated, check on vulnerable people, and limit outdoor activity, paired with a photo of a woman holding a glass of water and sitting near a fan.NEVER DRIVE AROUND BARRICADES — flooded road blocked by an orange-and-white barricade, warning drivers that floodwater hides depth, can undermine pavement, and makes driving dangerously unsafe.