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[June 18, 2010] (AP) Severe weather was forecast to sweep through the Midwest on Friday, as a low pressure system moved through Canada.

(Click on map for larger image.)

This system produced a strong cold front that swept through the northern Plains and upper Midwest and would continue moving toward the Great Lakes, kicking up scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of these storms would produce severe weather.

Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms would cover most of the Midwest, Great Lakes and spread down the Mississippi River, while severe storms would mainly be contained to Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois. These storms had a history of producing damaging winds, large hail, heavy rains and multiple tornadoes.

Flooding was expected to continue to threaten the upper and mid-Mississippi River Valley, as these slow-moving storms were capable of dumping 1-3 inches of rain in any one location.

Forecasters said this front may extend into the central and southern Plains, but was not expected to kick up any precipitation.

A hot and humid day was expected in the South with highs approaching 100, while the North remained in the 70s and 80s.

In the East, a ridge of high pressure hovered over the East Coast. This would bring another warm, sunny and mild day, with the Northeast and New England reaching into the 80s, while the Southeast remained in the 90s.

Warm and humid conditions over the Gulf states may allow for some afternoon showers and thunderstorms to develop again Friday.

Out West, cool conditions were forecast to persist as a low pressure system moved down the West Coast, pulling cool and moist air onshore. This would bring some low clouds to the coasts; thus, the Pacific Northwest and northern California would only reach into the 60s.

The Southwest, however, would remain hot and dry with highs near 100, as high pressure dominates.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Thursday ranged from a low of 23 degrees at Ely, Nev., to a high of 107 degrees at Goodyear, Ariz.

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Online:

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

Intellicast:
http://www.intellicast.com/

[Associated Press article from Weather Underground]