The Nation's Weather 07.31.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

The East was expected to be wet and stormy on Friday, while the Northwest was forecast to remain hot.

An unusual weather pattern was expected to remain situated over the country, with a deep trough hovering over the East and a strong ridge in the West. Forecasters believed this system would allow a stationary front to linger over the East Coast, extending from the Northeast, over the Mid-Atlantic States, and into the Southeast.

Heavy rainfall was anticipated in areas of thunderstorm development with rainfall totals between 1-2 inches likely over the Northeast as well as the Gulf States. Thus, flooding was likely to remain a threat over these areas.

Meanwhile, multiple atmospheric disturbances were expected to continue moving through the trough, triggering additional storms. One trough was forecast to move through the Upper Midwest and into the Great Lakes region, allowing for scattered showers and thunderstorms.

Moving west, another incoming trough of low pressure will dip in from Saskatchewan on Friday. This was likely to create a cold front that would sweep through the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains, kicking up widespread showers throughout the day.

Further west, a strong ridge of high pressure was expected to continue bringing extremely hot temperatures to the Pacific Northwest. Forecasters expected heat advisories to remain in effect with highs approaching 100 degrees again.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Thursday ranged from a low of 30 degrees at Yellowstone, Wyo to a high of 109 degrees at Needles, Calif.