. >> authorities are on alert in southern japan this morning after the volcano reyou the reputed. there was little warning before it happened and hikers had to be evacuated in the base. no reports of injuries so far. several flights in the area had to be canceled. officials say there is no threat to a nearby nuclear power plant. >> time for a check on the weather in the u.s., states bracing for hot and dry conditions in the west. >> we've had a little reversal of fortunes. last week we were talking about the coastlines and excessive heat. now it's the central portion of the country, while a lot of our coastline area has had at least a little cooling. it is this midsection of the country, places like denver looking at that 91 degrees today. this bubbles all the way up. we have a ridge of high pressure in place, allowing that warm air to funnel into the region, 90s through portions of south dakota, 80s in north dakota. we're a week away from the official start of fall. it's getting impressive to have these warmer temperatures this time of year. more tomorrow, dropping off a couple o