The weather pattern that supports periodic formation of thunderstorm clusters over the central Plains is expected to repeat itself as we head toward the first weekend of July.
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The cold front associated with the ongoing surge of anomalously cool air from Canada with possible record low temperatures this morning over portions of the central Plains will once again becomes nearly stationary as it dips into the south-central U.S.
The boundary will once again be the focus of additional rounds of severe weather along with heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash flooding through Friday as additional upper-level disturbances are ejected from the central Rockies into the central Plains.
This general situation is forecast to persist through Friday, which will likely lead to a few inches of heavy rainfall across southern Nebraska into Oklahoma.
By Friday night into early Saturday, the upper-level disturbances are forecast to consolidate and develop a low pressure wave along the stationary front as the wave heads toward the Mid-Mississippi Valley.
This will allow a chance for the central High Plains to dry out a bit as the bulk of the heavy rain and thunderstorms head eastward across Missouri and Arkansas and into the Mid-Mississippi Valley.
Outside of the active thunderstorms in the central Plains, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to move through the Great Lakes as the upper portion of the cold front moves across.
These storms will likely move into the interior Northeast on Friday before becoming more isolated by early Saturday.
More scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected from Mid-Atlantic southward into the Southeast.
Summertime scattered thunderstorms are expected to linger across the southern tier states as well.
Cool temperatures across the northern/central High Plains will persist through Friday at least, while gradually moderating and spreading east.
Meanwhile, temperatures should be near to above average south of the front from the Desert Southwest across the South and into the East.
Southwestern states can expect temperatures well into the 100s and even 110s, with Excessive Heat Warnings in effect through Friday in southern Arizona.
Dry and windy conditions combined with the heat will lead to Elevated to Critical Fire Weather risks over the next couple of days across northern Arizona.
Meanwhile, high temperatures in the mid-upper 90s across southern Florida could challenge daily records during the next couple of days as Heat Advisories remain in place.
On the opposite side of the country, hot weather is forecast to continue over the Pacific Northwest where high temperatures nearing 100F are forecast for the next few days at the hottest locations across the interior sections. ■