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[June 26, 2010] (AP) Scattered showers and thunderstorms were expected to persist over the Midwest and northern Plains on Saturday.

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Two troughs of low pressure were forecast to combine to produce a strong area of low pressure and associated frontal boundary. One trough was expected to continue to move in from central Canada, while another system was forecast to develop off the central Rockies. These systems together were expected to kick up scattered showers over the central Plains, while pushing a warm front into the Midwest.

Periods of heavy rain and severe storms were anticipated along the warm front, as it has a history of producing severe storms with damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain.

The Midwest was forecast to have another warm day with highs in the 80s, while problems with flooding were expected to return to the upper and mid-Mississippi River valleys due to these slow-moving storms.

In the South, a front was expected to linger over the Southeast. At the same time, high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico was expected to push ample moisture onshore, allowing for scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop along this front. Some storms were likely to turn severe, with heavy downpours and strong winds.

Highs were forecast to reach into the 90s again Saturday. The Northeast and New England also were forecast to have another warm day as high pressure brings plenty of sunshine.

Farther south, in the Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Storm Alex had developed and was expected to continue spreading moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms over the Caribbean Islands. This system was forecast to continue intensifying as it moved northwestward over the Yucatan Peninsula and approached the Gulf states.

In the West, warm and sunny conditions were forecast to return to the West Coast as a ridge of high pressure built in from the west. Over the Rockies, this high pressure was expected to allow for decreasingly cloudy skies and warmer temperatures.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a low of 33 degrees at Bryce Canyon, Utah, to a high of 111 degrees at Gila Bend, Ariz.

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[Associated Press article from Weather Underground]