Thunderstorms were also expected from the Plains to the Mississippi Valley, but the heaviest rain and potentially strongest thunderstorms were likely in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms to the Southeast Coast and along the Florida peninsula.

Rain was also expected in Washington and Oregon.

Some relief from the recent hot weather was expected in the Southeast, where temperatures were expected to rise into the 90s, with only occasional forays into triple digits.

The Plains will likely continue to be warm in the 90s and 100s, and the Northeast will probably see high temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

Southwest temperatures were expected to rise into the 90s and 100s, while the Northwest will see highs in the 70s and 80s.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a low of 31 degrees at Chemult, Ore., to a high of 115 degrees at Death Valley, Calif.

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On the Net:

Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com

National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov

Intellicast: http://www.intellicast.com