Weather
Hot, largely dry pattern continues for the Heartland
Shower activity in the middle and northern Atlantic States will diminish later Friday. Rain will linger, however, in the Southeast, where 5-day totals could reach 1 to 2 inches. Heavier rain (locally 2 to 5 inches) will fall in the western and central Gulf Coast States, potentially resulting in renewed flooding and lingering high river levels.
Most of the remainder of the country, particularly from the Pacific Coast to the Plains and upper Midwest, will receive little or no rain during the next 5 days.
In addition, above-normal temperatures in most of the dry regions could lead to stress on rangeland, pastures, immature winter wheat, and rain-fed summer crops, especially in areas already experiencing drought. Although the northern Plains’ heat wave should peak Friday or Saturday, temperatures will remain elevated (compared to normal for this time of year) into next week.
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures nationwide, except for cooler-than-normal conditions in the western Gulf Coast region and along portions of the Pacific Coast.
Meanwhile, near- or below-normal rainfall across the majority of the country should contrast with wetter-than-normal weather in the Pacific Northwest (west of the Cascades) and from the western Gulf Coast region northeastward into the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic.
