7:47PM: There are severe storms in the Dakotas this evening, but a bunch of dry air ahead of them. Fire danger is high in the Northwoods of Minnesota and into Wisconsin. It sure would be nice for the weather to reach this area (the rain, not the severe stuff), but it is not to be.

11:51PM: As I noted earlier this week, El Nino should render the Atlantic hurricane season a bit milder. But it’s going to be busier in the Pacific, starting…. now.