Strong to locally severe thunderstorms will move through the Northeast along and ahead of trailing cold front as the relatively strong low pressure system progresses over northern New York/southern Canada.
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A steady plume of moisture will continue to draw northward increasing precipitation efficiency.
The environment will be very conducive for slow moving storms capable of heavy rain across the New England region.
The highest potential for flash flooding will be from northeast Vermont, northern New Hampshire into central Maine where amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected through tonight.
Heavy rain could result in flooding of rivers, creeks and areas that are usually prone to flooding.
While some light rain may linger over Maine early Wednesday morning, the remainder of the day on Wednesday should be feature pleasant weather as the low pressure system moves into the Canadian Maritimes.
Cooler than average temperatures are expected from the Northern Rockies into the Central Plains, Mid Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and Northeast over the next couple of days.
An upper level disturbance crossing through the Intermountain West and Central Rockies will cause thunderstorms over the higher terrain of Colorado and Wyoming to move out into the High Plains by late afternoon.
Storm severity is expected to intensify over the Central/South Plains as they meet with increased moisture and instability near and just north of a quasi-stationary front.
The environment will be most favorable for damaging wind, large hail and areas of heavy rain; although there potential for a tornado or two.
Additional thunderstorms, some of which could be severe, are expected near the stationary front which will extend southeastward from the High Plains into the Gulf Coast states.
The long lived heat across the Southwest, Southern Plains, Gulf Coast and into Florida will persist.
Numerous daily temperature records have been set this past week and a few more are within grasp in the upcoming days.
Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are currently in effect across large portions of the southern tier of the nation with expected heat index values of 105 to 115, locally higher possible through at least mid-week.
Critical Fire weather continues with this hot and dry stretch.
SPC has identified two areas today with a Critical Risk- the Great Basin and central/northern portions of Texas that will continue into Wednesday.
A combination of dry conditions, low relative humidities and gusty winds will continue to produce the fire weather threat. ■