'Excessive' weather events mark summer solstice in the U.S.

Red and dark-red blotches cover a map of the United States, as the Climate Protection Center warns of the risk of excessive heat. While the biggest threat is in Texas, areas far north as Iowa and Illinois are also seen in a shade of red. (Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS)

"Excessive" is the word of the day in the National Weather Service's forecast for the summer solstice — the term appears seven times, describing record heat and torrential rainfall that different areas of the U.S. are experiencing.

Forecasters said extreme weather would hit many parts of the country on the longest day of the year, as the 2023 summer solstice occurred at 10:58 a.m. ET, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.