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[August 20, 2010] (AP) Heavy rains were forecast to persist across the Southeast on Friday as a front stalled over the region and the remnants of Tropical Depression Five slowly moved out of the northern Gulf of Mexico.

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These systems would trap in moisture and hot air, allowing for more scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop over the Gulf states, with rainfall totals ranging from 1 to 2 inches anywhere from Louisiana to the Carolinas. This was expected to bring another humid and muggy day as highs remain in the 90s with heat indexes over 100 degrees.

North of this front would remain pleasant as a ridge of high pressure dominated again Friday. This would allow for plenty of sunshine, while also keeping moisture out of the region. Highs in the 90s were expected over the Northeast, New England and down the Ohio River Valley.

The ridge of high pressure would start to shove eastward by a low pressure system and associated front moving in from the West. A system would strengthen as it moved off the Rockies and into the Plains on Friday. A warm front would lead the system, tracking through the Great Lakes and Midwest. Scattered showers and thunderstorms were expected to develop along this front, as ample moisture feeds the system from the Gulf of Mexico.

Meanwhile, the West Coast would remain cool and cloudy along the coasts as a trough of low pressure hovered offshore. This would push moisture and cool air onshore, while inland areas remain sunny and warm.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Thursday ranged from a low of 32 degrees at Truckee, Calif., to a high of 116 degrees at Death Valley, Calif.

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[Associated Press article from Weather Underground]