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 The system will push a cold front northeastward that will extend from the Northeast through the
lower Mississippi River Valley. Warm and moist air will pour in ahead of this system from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Expect widespread showers and thunderstorms to develop ahead of this front, some of which will turn severe with damaging winds and large hail. If storms turn severe they will most likely be contained to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
Behind this activity, expect cooler conditions to return to the upper Midwest and Great Lakes, due to the passage of the cold front. Highs will remain in the 70s for most of the
upper Midwest and Great Lakes. However, the central and southern Plains will remain hot and dry as high pressure builds. Expect highs to range in the 90s for most areas and into the lower 100s in central and southern Texas.
In the West, a ridge of high pressure will remain the dominant weather feature. This will maintain offshore flow
that keeps moisture and clouds away. Expect sunny skies and high temperatures to continue, with highs surpassing 110 degrees in the deserts of California, Arizona and Nevada.
In the Rockies, a weak trough of low pressure will continue moving eastward throughout the day. This will support more widespread shower and thunderstorm activity from the
northern Rockies and Intermountain West through the Great Basin and central Rockies.
Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Thursday ranged from a morning low of 36 degrees at Meacham, Ore., to a high of 108 degrees at Lawton, Okla. | 
