A storm system crossing the northern tier of the Nation from the northern Plains today to northern New England on Sunday will be the catalyst for pockets of unsettled weather through the final weekend of June.
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The upper trough and area of low pressure are forecast to ride along the U.S.-Canadian border through early Saturday and usher warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico towards the Midwest.
Developing thunderstorms across the central Plains and Midwest are anticipated to take advantage of the buoyant atmosphere while also using nearby frontal boundaries as a focus for organization.
Some storms could turn severe and contain damaging wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes between northeast Colorado and the Mid-Mississippi Valley.
Additionally, slow-moving and/or repeating thunderstorms could lead to scattered areas of flash flooding across parts of Iowa and central/northern Missouri into tonight.
The aforementioned low pressure system is forecast to push across the Upper Great Lakes and enter southeast Canada on Saturday, while a warm front lifts northward across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Meanwhile, an approaching cold front is forecast to near the Lower Great Lakes by Saturday afternoon and spark strong to severe thunderstorms from the Ohio Valley to the Interior Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic.
Damaging winds gusts and a few tornadoes are forecast to be the main weather hazard, particularly for parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and western New York.
Instances of heavy rain could also create a flash flood concern in urban areas and regions with poor drainage.
Isolated to scattered downpours and strong thunderstorms are also possible along the entire length of the cold front as it stretches westward across the Mid-Mississippi Valley, central/southern Plains, and Southern Rockies, with moisture lingering on Sunday across the Four Corners region.
Heat has been a major story over the last few weeks and will continue to impact parts of the country through the last couple days of June.
Upper level ridging is forecast to remain over the south-central U.S. today before sliding to the Southeast on Saturday and then restrengthening over the central Plains by the end of the weekend.
This will lead to above average high temperatures impacting areas from the central/southern Plains to the Southeast, with summer heat also building across the Southwest and northern High Plains by Sunday.
Upper 90s and low 100s are the expected high temperatures in the southern Plains today, where Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories have been issued.
Scattered afternoon thunderstorms may keep the sizzling heat at bay across the Southeast, but highs into the mid-90s can still be expected this weekend.
If spending time outdoors be sure to follow proper heat safety by taking frequent breaks, staying hydrated, and checking on neighbors. ■
A very active and complex mid-May weather pattern is set to produce numerous areas of severe weather, heavy rain, high winds, and anomalous temperatures through this weekend.