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[September 02, 2011]  (AP)  The Gulf states will see a rainy and stormy day on Friday, as a broad area of low pressure develops in the Gulf of Mexico. The system is currently spinning in the north-central Gulf of Mexico and kicks up strong thunderstorms.

This system will continue developing as it slowly advances northward, toward the northern Gulf coast. Counterclockwise flow around this system will continue pushing abundant moisture onshore, triggering heavy showers and thunderstorms from eastern Texas to the Florida Panhandle. Expect rainfall totals between 3 to 5 inches across the northern Gulf coast. At the same time, strong winds will create dangerous surf conditions, which are likely to rise 1 to 2 feet above normal tide levels. This system has a high, 70 percent, chance of tropical cyclone development. Flooding will be of concern for coastal areas throughout the weekend.

Elsewhere in the U.S., another low pressure system has developed over the northern Rockies and will continue moving eastward on Friday. This system will skirt along the U.S. and Canadian border, pushing a cold front through the northern Plains and upper Midwest. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop along this front, some of which may turn severe with damaging winds and large hail.

Just ahead of this frontal boundary, warm and moist air will spread eastward from the southern Plains. This will allow for warm and humid conditions to build into the Mississippi River Valley, creating a hot and uncomfortable day. Expect highs between 100 and 110 degrees, with heat index values up to 120 degrees.

In the West, a ridge builds over the West Coast and allows for a short warming trend to persist. Inland areas will see highs up to 115 degrees. In the Southwest, monsoon moisture will kick up more scattered thunderstorms across the Four Corners.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Thursday ranged from a morning low of 23 degrees at Stanley, Idaho, to a high of 105 degrees at Salina, Kan.

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[Associated Press article from Weather Underground]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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